Profiel van Duinkerken, belegerd door het Franse leger onder de hertog van Enghien, 1646 1646

Nicolas Cochin created this print in 1646, depicting the siege of Dunkirk by the French army. In the 17th century, depictions of military events weren't just about recording history; they were powerful tools of propaganda. Cochin’s print presents a bird’s-eye view of Dunkirk, emphasizing the strategic elements of the siege. But beyond the military strategy, we see a landscape marked by human conflict, and an emotional landscape of those who found themselves caught in the crossfire. As we examine the detailed lines of Cochin’s print, consider the personal stories overshadowed by grand narratives of war and power. How did gender, class, and nationality shape individual experiences during this siege? Cochin's work serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict, urging us to look deeper into the stories etched within the historical record.