Slag bij Cassano, 1705 1700 - 1730

Sieuwert van der Meulen made this print of The Battle of Cassano in 1705, using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate. This process allowed for the creation of intricate lines and details, essential for depicting the chaos and complexity of battle. Notice how the etcher’s marks build up into a teeming mass of soldiers, horses, and weaponry. The linear quality of the medium lends itself well to conveying a sense of movement, smoke, and energy, essential for capturing the dynamic scene. Yet, the meticulous and repetitive actions involved in the production of prints like these are a world away from the physical reality of war. It reminds us that all images of conflict – even those like this, that seem documentary – are also carefully manufactured. Van der Meulen’s print bridges the gap between the realm of high art and mass communication.