Troepenschouw voor Ingolstadt, 1546, nr. 9 1555 - 1556

"Troepenschouw voor Ingolstadt, 1546" was etched by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert. This print captures a moment steeped in the religious and political tensions of 16th-century Europe. Set against the backdrop of the Schmalkaldic War, the image portrays the mustering of troops before the city of Ingolstadt. But this isn't merely a depiction of military might. Consider the figures: leaders on horseback, their armor gleaming, and foot soldiers. What stories do their faces tell? How does their positioning reinforce a hierarchy of power and status? Coornhert, a humanist and theologian, was deeply critical of religious dogmatism. His own experiences of persecution likely shaped his artistic perspective. This scene reflects broader questions about authority, obedience, and the human cost of conflict. It invites us to reflect on the individuals caught within the gears of history, and the complex interplay of faith, power, and identity.