Fuentes verovert Kamerijk, 1595 1595 - 1597

Frans Hogenberg created this print, "Fuentes Conquers Kamerijk," around 1595, documenting a key moment in the turbulent history of the Netherlands. The print blends cartographic detail with a narrative of military conquest. Produced in the Netherlands during its war of independence from Spain, this image is not simply a record but also a piece of political communication. Hogenberg depicts the Spanish army, led by Fuentes, laying siege to and ultimately capturing Cambrai, a city strategically important to the Spanish control of the region. Note the tents laid out according to a grid and the regiments of soldiers differentiated by their flags. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and national identity. By examining such images in the context of their time, using resources like period newspapers and political pamphlets, we gain insight into the ways art actively participated in the making of history.