Slag bij Ramillies, 1706 1735

This is Zacharias Chatelain II’s “Slag bij Ramillies, 1706,” an etching made around the time of the event it depicts. It represents the Battle of Ramillies, a significant engagement in the War of the Spanish Succession. The map shows the disposition of troops, reflecting the era's strategic thinking. But it’s also a cultural artifact, revealing the intricate relationship between cartography, power, and national identity. Note the lion in the corner. These representations weren't neutral; they projected an image of power and order. They served to bolster national pride and legitimize territorial claims. The map invites us to reflect on the emotional and human cost of war, often overshadowed by grand narratives of military strategy and political maneuvering. Consider how the map itself becomes a tool for shaping public perception and collective memory. What stories does it tell, and whose perspectives are included or excluded?