Doorbreken van de Franse Linies bij Tienen, 1705 1705

Pieter Schenk’s etching depicts the breaking of French lines at Tienen in 1705. It presents a swirling scene of conflict and military might, typical of early modern battle imagery. Made in the Netherlands, a nation forged through conflict and maintained by its mercantile power, the image needs to be understood in terms of that culture’s fascination with war, trade, and empire. Battle scenes like this played a key role in cultivating a sense of national pride. They were often commissioned by military leaders and were widely circulated, shaping public opinion and legitimizing military campaigns. Schenk’s work is a product of the Dutch Republic’s complex relationship with its European neighbors and we can use the print archives, military records, and diplomatic correspondence of the period to understand the battles it depicts and the nationalistic sentiments it evokes. These sources reveal how art became a tool for shaping public perception of armed conflict.