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

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

The image, seen 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 are seen around a fire and casualties lie on the ground, emphasizing the horrors of war. The city's defense, led by Johan van den Kornput, held out against overwhelming odds of more than 7,000 soldiers, ultimately leading to the relief of the city and an important victory for the Dutch States Army.

The engraving was made by the renowned Dutch printmaker, etcher and poet Jan Luyken (1649-1712). Luyken was prolific in Amsterdam and his work, often with 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 defects)