De schansen in Groningen, 1673 1682 - 1684

Gaspar Bouttats made this print titled ‘De schansen in Groningen’ in 1673. The image depicts fortifications and newly cultivated lands in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. But this isn't simply a neutral depiction of a landscape. The bird’s eye perspective allows us to see the strategic positioning of the fortresses, as well as the regimented organization of the land. Looking closer, we can even see a figure with a shovel, seemingly reclaiming land. This print reflects the ongoing struggle between the Dutch Republic and surrounding powers such as Spain, and their need to defend and expand their territories. The construction of Schansen, temporary military fortifications, was an important strategy for regional defense in the 17th century. Prints such as these served as visual propaganda, intended to promote a sense of national pride, military might, and territorial control. To fully understand this artwork, scholars draw on military records, cartographic surveys, and political pamphlets to reveal its role in the complex political landscape of the Dutch Golden Age.