Plundertocht van de Spanjaarden in het land van Kleef en moord op Wirich von Daun, graaf van Falkenstein, 1598 1621 - 1649

This small print, made in 1598 by an anonymous artist, presents us with the Spanish looting of Kleef. The composition is divided into two distinct scenes, each teeming with meticulously rendered details that invite close inspection. On the left, we witness the violent sacking of G. Vanden Broeck, with flames consuming structures and figures engaged in brutal conflict. The right panel shifts our gaze to the pillaging of Heyrtocht in 't Lant te Cleef, showcasing a landscape scarred by warfare and the relentless advance of armed forces. The artist uses hatching lines to sculpt forms and convey texture. The sharp contrasts between light and shadow enhance the drama. The division in the image acts as a structural device, underscoring the widespread impact of the conflict. The print challenges conventional notions of heroism and glory, confronting viewers with the grim realities of war. Its enduring power resides in its capacity to provoke reflection on the ethical dimensions of armed conflict.