View of Mons, Belgium 

Josua de Grave’s ink drawing presents us with a panoramic view of Mons, Belgium, a city whose identity was deeply entwined with its fortifications and religious institutions. Made in the late 17th or early 18th century, this artwork reflects a period marked by frequent conflicts and sieges in the region. Mons, with its strategic location, was at the heart of these power struggles between the Spanish, French, and Dutch. The drawing's attention to the city's skyline, dominated by church spires and possibly defensive towers, underscores the dual authority of the church and the military in shaping urban life. De Grave’s choice to depict Mons from a distance, with emphasis on its structural outline, subtly comments on the city's role as a contested territory and a symbol of power. To fully understand this artwork, one should look into the military and religious history of Mons, consulting maps, battle plans, and church records. This drawing serves as a reminder that art is always rooted in specific social and institutional circumstances.