The Battle, plate three from The Large Miseries of War n.d.

Gerrit Lucasz van Schagen created this etching called 'The Battle' as part of his series 'The Large Miseries of War' in the 17th century. The image presents a chaotic scene of cavalry clashing amidst smoke and fallen bodies. Made in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, a time marked by both prosperity and conflict, this work reflects a growing awareness of the brutal realities of war. It reminds us that this age was not only defined by its economic success, but also by its almost constant war. Van Schagen's focus on the grim consequences of battle can be seen as a critique of the glorification of warfare, a theme often found in earlier art. As historians, we can investigate the social and political context of this print through period documents, military histories, and studies of Dutch print culture, to understand the artist's commentary on war. Ultimately, this image serves as a reminder of the historian's role in uncovering the complex layers of meaning embedded within art.