Beleg van Poitiers, 1569 1569 - 1570

Jean Perrissin created this print, Beleg van Poitiers, 1569, documenting the siege of Poitiers during the French Wars of Religion. These wars were a bloody struggle between Catholics and Protestants, known as Huguenots, tearing apart French society. Perrissin’s detailed engraving depicts not just a military event, but also a cultural and religious clash. Consider the layers of identity at play here: religious affiliation, social status, and regional allegiance, all colliding amidst conflict. This siege was more than just a battle; it was a moment where personal and communal identities were forged and tested. The black and white print throws the stark realities of war into sharp relief, devoid of any romanticism. It is a study in contrasts - the order of the besieging armies versus the chaos within the city, echoing the broader societal rupture of the time. Perrissin invites us to reflect on how conflict shapes identity and how individuals and communities persevere amidst great upheaval.