Slag bij Pavia 1682 - 1730

Jacobus Harrewijn’s “Slag bij Pavia,” or Battle of Pavia, captures a historical moment using the intaglio printmaking technique of etching. A copper plate would have been coated with wax, then scratched through to expose the metal. When dipped in acid, these lines would be etched into the surface, allowing for highly detailed, repeatable images. What makes the image so remarkable is the sheer density of labor. Countless tiny marks evoke the chaos of battle. The scale feels immense, teeming with figures, despite the small size of the print itself. Etchings like this were essentially the news media of their day. Harrewijn’s skill would have been in high demand. Consider too the economic context. Warfare was becoming increasingly industrialized in this period, with battles fought for resources and territory. This print is thus both a work of art and a form of historical record. In its intricate detail, we find the echoes of craftsmanship and the rumblings of a changing world.