Beleg van Heidelberg, 1622 1622 - 1624

This is Frans Hogenberg’s print of the Siege of Heidelberg, made in 1622, showing the city under attack. It demonstrates how early modern Europeans used images to construct a particular view of war. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and national identity during this era. Created in the Netherlands, it depicts the siege of a German city. Look closely at how Hogenberg uses visual codes to convey military strategy. From troop movements to defensive fortifications, the image creates meaning through cartographic language. The detailed rendering of the siege provides a visual narrative of the event. It transforms a complex military operation into a legible story. To understand this artwork better, research into the historical context of the Thirty Years' War and the role of print culture in disseminating news and propaganda is essential. The meaning of the image is contingent on understanding its historical and institutional context.