Beleg van Oostende, 1706 1707

Jacobus Harrewijn produced this etching, “Siege of Ostend,” in 1706. It’s a bird’s eye view of the city in Belgium, made during a period of intense political and military conflict in Europe. Harrewijn made this print to document a specific military event, but its broader significance lies in illustrating the relationship between political power, urban space, and cartography. The detailed depiction of Ostend's fortifications, and the surrounding landscape, reflects the strategic importance of the city during the War of the Spanish Succession. It shows how military engineers shaped the city's form. As we analyze the cultural context of the early 18th century, we can consider the role of cities as both military targets and symbols of national pride. To fully understand the print, we can look at military archives, period maps, and political pamphlets. This enables us to analyze the cultural and institutional forces at play in its creation.