Slag bij Gembloers, 1578 1630 - 1699

This anonymous etching depicts the Battle of Gembloux in 1578. The scene is dominated by the dynamism of conflict, yet it is the symbol of smoke, billowing from the heart of the battle, that captivates us. Smoke, here, is not merely an element of warfare; it is a potent signifier of chaos and transformation. Consider its presence in other contexts - religious rites, or the alchemical processes that seek to transform base metals into gold. Smoke bridges the earthly and the ethereal, obscuring and revealing in equal measure. This notion resonates with the psychological state of war, where clarity is lost, and primal instincts reign. Through centuries, smoke persists as a symbol, evolving, yet retaining its core essence. Its recurring presence speaks to the non-linear, cyclical progression of images, resurfacing and taking on new meanings, yet always engaging us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of the powerful, often destructive, forces that shape human history.