The Siege of La Rochelle [plate 16 of 16; set comprises 1952.8.97-112]

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Siege of La Rochelle plate 16 from a monumental 16-plate series capturing one of the pivotal conflicts of 17th-century France. Created between 1628 and 1631, this etching and engraving on laid paper—attributed to Israel Henriet Abraham Bosse after the masterful designs of Jacques Callot—icts the dramatic climax of Cardinal Richelieu's grueling siege against the Protestant Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle. From 1627 to 1628, French royal forces blockaded the port city, starving its defenders into submission and marking a turning point in Louis XIII's centralization of power by curbing religious dissent. Callot, a pioneering Baroque printmaker renowned for his intricate war scenes like *The Miseries of War*, provided the original compositions, which engravers faithfully reproduced in exquisite detail. The panoramic format (16.6 × 59.7 cm) unfolds a bustling tableau of soldiers, ships, fortifications, and civilians, blending etching's fluid lines for atmosphere with engraving's precision for architectural accuracy. This mixed technique on laid paper allowed for mass dissemination, making royal military triumphs accessible to a wide audience. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, this print not only chronicles a brutal historical episode but also exemplifies early modern printmaking's role in propaganda and visual storytelling, inviting viewers to ponder the human cost of power.