Plate from Battles and Victories (Combats et Triomphes) 1540 - 1583

Etienne Delaune created this print, "Plate from Battles and Victories," sometime in the 16th century. The linear design compels the eye across a panorama of combat. It evokes an emotional response through its complex composition and the dynamic interplay of figures in conflict. Delaune masterfully employs the technique of engraving, emphasizing line and form to create a highly detailed, energetic scene. Here, the battle isn't just a historical representation, it's a structured narrative. Each figure, each weapon, and each gesture acts as a sign, contributing to a larger symbolic order. The print challenges fixed meanings of heroism and valor, instead presenting a fluid, chaotic space where victory and defeat are intertwined. Notice the balance and tension between order and chaos in this work. It invites us to see art not as a reflection of reality, but as a complex structure of signs and meanings, open to continuous interpretation.