A German settlement is destroyed (end of LXXI); the fleeing Germans are pursued (LXXII); Women (not depicted by Guerra) and animals are taken away (LXXIII) 1544 - 1618

Giovanni Guerra made this pen and brown ink drawing depicting a military conflict in the late 16th or early 17th century. This work visualizes the conquest of a German settlement, portraying fleeing figures, pursuing soldiers, and the seizure of animals. Guerra, an Italian artist, worked within a cultural context where representing military victories served to bolster the power and prestige of rulers and states. The classical style, reminiscent of ancient Roman friezes, elevates the scene, linking contemporary events to the grandeur of the past. The depiction of warfare and conquest often functioned as propaganda, reinforcing social hierarchies and justifying territorial expansion. Historical sources, such as military records and contemporary chronicles, could shed light on the specific campaigns Guerra might have been referencing. Analyzing the visual codes and cultural references within the drawing allows us to understand how art was deployed to shape perceptions of power, conflict, and cultural identity in early modern Europe.