Beleg van Middelburg, 1574 1574 - 1576

This is Frans Hogenberg’s 1574 print of The Siege of Middelburg. It’s made with ink on paper and captures a key moment in the Eighty Years' War between the Netherlands and Spain. The image offers a bird's-eye view of Middelburg, encircled by land and sea, emphasizing the city's vulnerability. Hogenberg was German, and his choice to depict this Dutch conflict underscores the interconnectedness of European politics at the time. The print isn’t just a depiction of war. It’s a piece of propaganda, aimed at shaping public opinion. The level of detail suggests a desire for accuracy, lending credibility to the narrative. Yet, the text accompanying the image clearly takes a Protestant partisan view. Understanding this print requires delving into the history of the Dutch Revolt, exploring religious and political tensions, and examining the role of printmaking in shaping early modern European identities. Art historians use such prints to reconstruct past events, understand political sentiments, and trace the development of visual culture.