Stein am Rhein door de Spanjaarden veroverd, 1621 1621 - 1623

This engraving by Frans Hogenberg depicts the capture of Stein am Rhein in 1621, rendered with meticulous detail. The composition is dominated by a bird's-eye view, sharply dividing the scene into the town and the river. The structure hinges on the dynamic interplay between the ordered ranks of soldiers and the chaos of conflict. Hogenberg uses line and form to create a narrative, with the linear progression of troops contrasting the scattered figures engaged in battle. The river acts as both a barrier and a bridge, symbolized by the pontoon crossings that dissect the space. This work reflects the period's fascination with topographical accuracy, combined with a keen interest in portraying military might. The detailed rendering of fortifications and troop formations suggests a desire to document the event with a sense of historical precision, yet the overall effect is a carefully constructed image of power and conquest. It serves not just as a record, but as a deliberate construction of spatial and political order.