Ontzet van Arras, belegerd door de Spanjaarden (titel), 1654 1655

Nicolas Cochin created this print entitled, "The Relief of Arras, besieged by the Spanish," in 1654. This piece serves as both a historical record and a statement of national pride during a period of intense conflict between France and Spain. The print commemorates the lifting of the Spanish siege of Arras, a city in Northern France, by French forces. Cochin’s decision to present the text almost as if it’s carved in stone lends it a sense of permanence, as if to say, this victory will be remembered and revered. France, under Louis XIV, was in a state of consolidating power, and the image subtly conveys a sense of dominance. Consider the emotional weight of such a declaration during a time of war. The artwork, beyond its literal representation, embodies the hopes, fears, and patriotic sentiments of a nation in turmoil. It is a reminder of the human stories behind historical events.