Louis XIV at the Siege of Cambrai, Seen from the South-West (March 20–April 19, 1677) 1677 - 1686

Adam van der Meulen's "Louis XIV at the Siege of Cambrai" is a detailed red chalk drawing depicting the French king Louis XIV and his entourage amidst a vast camp at the Siege of Cambrai in 1677. This dynamic scene, rendered with a keen eye for detail, provides a glimpse into the grandeur and spectacle of a military campaign in the 17th century. The drawing, a preparatory study for a larger painting, showcases van der Meulen's skill in capturing the energy and scale of a battlefield setting. A city in the distance and surrounding landscape add a wider context to the central figure of the king.