Slag bij Rijmenam, 1578 c. 1581 - 1585

Frans Hogenberg made this print of the Battle of Rijmenam in 1578. It commemorates a key event in the early stages of the Dutch Revolt, when forces in the Low Countries fought for independence from Spanish rule. The image creates meaning through its schematic representation of the battle, and the cultural context of the conflict. Hogenberg’s print vividly depicts the clash between the Dutch States Army and the Spanish forces, highlighting the intensity of the struggle. The geographical location of the Low Countries shaped its destiny as a trading hub and a battleground for competing powers. Religious and political tensions fueled the revolt. Historians study such images alongside written accounts, maps, and other visual sources, considering the political and social context in which they were produced and consumed. This helps us to understand art as a product of its time, reflecting and shaping the attitudes and beliefs of society.