Slag bij St. Denis, 1678 1678

Romeyn de Hooghe created this print of the Battle of St. Denis in 1678. De Hooghe lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a time of great artistic achievement in the Netherlands, but also a period marked by political and military conflict. The print depicts a specific historical event, but it also reflects broader themes of power, conflict, and national identity. The central figures on horseback and the cherubic figures holding the list of names evoke the glorification of military leaders and victories. But note the chaos and suffering of war in the detailed depiction of the battlefield. De Hooghe’s choice to depict this battle engages in complex questions about who gets remembered in history and how. Consider how the print might have shaped public opinion during a time of war. It offers a window into the ways in which art can be used to construct and reinforce particular narratives about national identity, leadership, and military glory. How might this image resonate with contemporary conversations around the ethics of war and the representation of violence?