Beleg van Zutphen door Leicester, 1586 c. 1587 - 1591

This print, titled "Beleg van Zutphen door Leicester, 1586," was created by Frans Hogenberg around the year 1586. Made through etching, the image's clarity stems from the careful lines incised into the metal plate. Look closely to appreciate how the etcher’s skill shapes our understanding of the siege of Zutphen. The dense clusters of tiny lines form shading and texture. The network of lines define the landscape, and communicate information about the positioning of troops, and the architecture of the fortifications. The act of etching itself is a form of labor, and the creation of multiple prints speaks to the demands of information sharing in times of conflict. This reminds us that the circulation of images like this one was part of the social and political fabric of the 16th century. Appreciating the material process allows us to understand the print not just as a picture, but as a crafted object, shaped by the skills of the etcher and the needs of its historical moment.