Het ontzet van Bergen op Zoom door prins Maurits, 1622 1622

This print, titled 'Het ontzet van Bergen op Zoom door prins Maurits, 1622', commemorates the relief of Bergen op Zoom. Rendered in monochrome, the etching creates a stark contrast between the detailed foreground and the distant cityscape. The upper scene captures a panoramic view of the battle, while the lower section is filled with text, resembling a document or a song sheet. Structurally, the composition divides into distinct zones of representation. The aerial perspective in the battle scene flattens the space, emphasizing the patterned arrangement of figures and structures rather than depth. Below, the text is regimented into neat columns, a deliberate structuring of information that mirrors the orderliness of the military event above. The stark visual of the print invites us to reflect on how information is visually packaged. This structured interplay between image and text prompts us to consider the print not just as a historical record, but as a carefully constructed artifact designed to communicate a specific narrative.