Military & Political · 16th century
€ 260
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Old folds as published but all flattened. Please study scan carefully.
This detailed engraving depicts the capture of Tournai by the forces of the Duke of Parma in 1581. The scene shows the siege and conquest of the city with meticulous illustrations of military formations, artillery fire, and soldiers in combat. The city of Tournai is fortified in the background, with plumes of smoke rising from the battlements, indicating the intensity of the battle. The foreground features soldiers advancing, cavalry, and artillery, while the forces of Parma scale the walls and engage with defenders inside the city.
Below the engraving, a Latin legend identifies key elements of the siege, marking the positions of the city (A), fortifications (B), the approach of Parma's forces (C), and other tactical elements such as the capture of towers (D) and the deployment of reinforcements (G). The chaotic energy of the battle is balanced with strategic details, showcasing both the scale of the conflict and the precise military maneuvers employed by the Duke of Parma's forces. The engraving serves as a historical record of one of the key battles during the Eighty Years' War.
This print is a valuable artifact, offering a visual representation of 16th-century siege warfare.
