Barcelona onderwerpt zich aan koning Karel III, 1705 1705

This engraving, made by Sieuwert van der Meulen around 1705, captures the moment Barcelona submits to King Charles III. The composition is strikingly organized; from a bird's-eye view, we observe the city's geometrically precise fortifications contrasted against the dynamic, almost chaotic, battle scenes unfolding around it. The lines meticulously define architectural structures and military formations. The overall structure, employing contrasting elements, leads us to consider the artwork through a semiotic lens. Here, the city’s submission is not merely a historical event but a statement about power. The controlled lines of the city's layout are juxtaposed with the fluid movements of the sea, perhaps symbolizing the tensions between order and change. The aerial perspective serves to flatten the image and create a sense of detachment. The work invites us to consider how visual codes create meaning and how the artist might be subtly critiquing or reinforcing notions of authority and control.