Copper engraving of the historic Siege of Steenwijk during the Eighty Years' War

The copper engraving depicts the failed siege of Steenwijk by the pro-Spanish stadtholder George van Lalaing, Count of Rennenberg, from October 1580 to February 1581. Rennenberg, who had recently defected to the Spanish, attempted to capture the strategically important fortified city to secure the supply lines to the north.

The image, viewed from the besiegers' positions, shows the siege in full swing, with cannons, troop movements, and the city of Steenwijk in the background. In the foreground, soldiers can be seen around a fire and casualties lie on the ground, highlighting the horrors of war. The city's defense, led by Johan van den Kornput, held out against an overwhelming force of more than 7,000 soldiers, which ultimately led to the city's relief and a major victory for the States Army.

The engraving was made by the renowned Dutch printmaker, etcher, and poet Jan Luyken (1649-1712). Luyken was active in Amsterdam, and his work, often featuring detailed depictions of historical events and daily life, is included in the collections of prestigious museums such as the Rijksmuseum. The print itself dates from around 1679-1684.

Dimensions: approximately 41 by 34 cm

Condition: Good to fair (shows signs of use and wear)

The image with the frame is for illustrative purposes only.