Beleg van Franeker, 1500 1620 - 1622

Pieter Feddes van Harlingen created this print titled, Beleg van Franeker, 1500, using etching. It depicts the siege of the Frisian city of Franeker. The print offers a bird's-eye view of the siege, encapsulating not just the physical layout of the city and the besieging forces, but also the socio-political dynamics at play during this conflict. Images like this served as a form of propaganda, shaping public perception of the events. Franeker, as part of Friesland, had a history of fiercely defending its autonomy and the siege exemplifies the clash between regional identity and external powers. Embedded in the image are questions about power, autonomy, and the human cost of conflict, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity and resistance in a time of upheaval.