Montbrison ingenomen door Des Andrets, 1562 1565 - 1573

Frans Hogenberg made this engraving, "Montbrison ingenomen door Des Andrets, 1562," which translates to "Montbrison captured by Des Andrets, 1562". The print depicts a key event from the French Wars of Religion, reflecting a period of intense social and political upheaval. Hogenberg’s detailed rendering captures the march of soldiers into Montbrison, with flags held high, and pikes held aloft. What can feel lost to us, from this vantage point, is how the people of this time period experienced religious war. The focus is on the victors, but consider the emotional weight of the event for those who lost their homes or loved ones. Hogenberg’s choice to document this capture speaks to the narratives of power and conflict that shaped the era. It invites reflection on how such events affect individual lives and collective memory.