Slag bij Ramillies, 1706 1706

This print depicts the Battle of Ramillies, rendered in 1706 by an anonymous Dutch artist. Note the frenetic energy of the scene: a chaotic mass of soldiers and horses locked in combat. The bird's-eye view, combined with detailed labeling, flattens the image, prioritizing documentary clarity over heroic drama. This piece belongs to a long tradition of battle imagery, often commissioned by the victors to solidify political power and shape public memory. The Dutch Republic, in this era, was a major center for printmaking, fostering a vibrant market for news and propaganda. The Rijksmuseum itself, as a national institution, plays a crucial role in shaping historical narratives. How does this image contribute to a sense of Dutch identity and national pride? Does it glorify war, or simply record it? To understand this print fully, we would need to consult contemporary accounts, military histories, and studies of Dutch print culture. Only then can we appreciate its significance within its original social and institutional context.