Kenau Hasselaer op de Haarlemse wallen, 1573 18th century

This print, "Kenau Hasselaer op de Haarlemse wallen, 1573," likely made shortly after the event it depicts, uses etching to convey a scene of military conflict. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the foreground, where a group of figures, seemingly led by Kenau Hasselaer, stand defiantly amidst the chaos. Notice how the composition is structured. The artist uses a high horizon line, compressing the space and intensifying the scene. Through the use of line, he creates a sense of depth, leading the eye from the detailed foreground figures to the more sketchily rendered siege in the background. The flags bearing inscriptions act as semiotic markers, signaling resistance and defiance. The strategic deployment of figures and objects—flags, weapons, smoke—constructs a narrative of resistance against oppression. The stark contrast between the detailed foreground and the chaotic background serves to highlight the tension between order and disorder, control and resistance. The print challenges us to consider how historical events are framed and remembered.