Slag bij Oosterweel, 1567 c. 1568 - 1572

Frans Hogenberg created "Slag bij Oosterweel, 1567", an engraving, at a time of immense religious and political upheaval. This image captures the brutal reality of the Battle of Oosterweel, a key event in the early stages of the Eighty Years' War. Hogenberg, a master of disseminating current events through print, positions us as witnesses to the violence. The scene unfolds with a stark clarity, revealing the slaughter of Protestant forces by the Spanish army. The bodies strewn across the landscape and desperate attempts to flee by water speak volumes about the human cost of religious conflict. This work reflects the intersection of religious identity and political power during the Reformation. Hogenberg's depiction goes beyond a mere battle scene; it’s a commentary on the vulnerability of marginalized religious groups and the devastating impact of intolerance. The emotional weight of the print lies in its raw portrayal of human suffering, reminding us of the tangible consequences of ideological clashes.