Vlucht en vertrek van het Turkse leger van Malta 1665

Antonio Francesco Lucini made this print, "Flight and departure of the Turkish army from Malta," sometime between 1610 and 1710. It offers us a bird’s-eye view of the failed Ottoman siege of Malta in 1565. The print depicts the retreating Turkish forces, their ships sailing away from the island, which is mapped in detail. The image isn't just a record of a military defeat; it's steeped in the political and religious tensions of its time. Malta, a Christian stronghold, stood as a strategic barrier to Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. The siege was a pivotal moment in the struggle between Christendom and the Ottoman Empire. Lucini’s print highlights the importance of understanding the historical context of art. To fully grasp the print's significance, we might consult military histories, religious texts, and political pamphlets. The meaning of art isn't fixed; it changes depending on the social and institutional conditions.