Overwinning van hertog Karel V van Lotharingen en markgraaf Lodewijk Willem van Baden-Baden op de Turken, 1687 1687

This print from 1687 by Romeyn de Hooghe celebrates the victory of Charles V of Lorraine and Louis William of Baden-Baden over the Turks. The image presents a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, framed by trees. It’s a Dutch interpretation of a major military event in central Europe. The Holy Roman Empire was at war with the Ottoman Empire, and the Dutch Republic, though not directly involved, followed events with great interest. Prints like this helped to shape public opinion, turning distant battles into familiar narratives of heroism and triumph. De Hooghe, a key figure in Dutch printmaking, used his art to promote a particular vision of Dutch identity and its place in European politics. His images are invaluable sources for historians, offering insights into the mindset of the Dutch elite during the late 17th century. Through careful study of such prints, and others like it, we can better understand the cultural and political context of the time.