Belegering van Albuquerque, 1705 1707 - 1720

Pieter Schenk produced this print of the Siege of Albuquerque in 1705. It depicts the town's capture by Portuguese forces during the War of the Spanish Succession. But more than being a simple record, the print is a carefully constructed piece of political communication. Consider its emphasis on the order and rationality of the attacking forces, with their cannons neatly arrayed. In contrast, the town itself appears almost quaint, its red-tiled roofs clustered around a central tower. This contrast served to legitimize the Portuguese claim, casting them as bringers of modern governance. Prints like these were crucial for shaping public opinion in the early 18th century. The Rijksmuseum's collection provides invaluable resources for understanding the complex interplay of art, politics, and power in this period. By studying such images, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the social conditions that shaped artistic production and reception.