Inname van Valenciennes, 1567 c. 1568 - 1572

In Rijksmuseum, Frans Hogenberg’s 1567 engraving, "Inname van Valenciennes," meticulously depicts a historical siege. The composition is densely packed, creating a tableau of military activity with the city of Valenciennes in the background. The artist’s employment of line is critical. Notice how he uses closely spaced, fine lines to build up tone and texture, which gives the image a sense of depth. Hogenberg’s detailed depiction of the siege destabilizes the conventional heroic narratives of war by presenting a more granular view of military conflict, where individual actions and tactical formations are prioritized over glorifying the victor. This engraving functions semiotically, using visual elements to convey the complexities and consequences of military action. It invites us to reconsider the values attached to historical events, prompting a critical re-evaluation of how such narratives are constructed and received.