Slaget ved Cassel (Bataille de Cassel) 1703 - 1717

Johanna Sibylla Küsel created this print of the Battle of Cassel sometime between 1650 and 1717. Küsel lived in Augsburg, Germany, a city with a rich tradition of printmaking, and one can imagine that she was part of a network of artists and artisans producing images for local and international markets. The print depicts the Battle of Cassel, a significant military engagement during the Franco-Dutch War in 1677. The image presents a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, filled with masses of soldiers, horses, and billowing smoke. The battle is framed by elaborate decorations, including weapons, flags, and cannon, all symbols of military power and victory. Prints like this one served as a form of visual journalism, disseminating news and shaping public opinion about political events. They were also a means for artists like Küsel to showcase their skills and gain recognition in a competitive art world. By studying such images alongside other historical documents, we gain insight into the complex interplay of art, politics, and society in early modern Europe.