The Siege of Diksmuide, 1647, Peter Snayers, 1649

The siege of diksmuide, 1647 depicts the recapture of the town of diksmuide, in modern day belgium. The town had been taken by the french forces, led by maréchal josias rantzau (1609-1650), on 13 july 1647 after a short siege which had rapidly over-powered the town’s ravelin defences (triangular fortifications located in front of fortified towns or strongholds). Only a month later, however, in august, the troops of the spanish netherlands returned to the town, besieging the occupying french. It is this moment that is depicted in snayers’ canvas. In the left foreground, among the gathering soldiers, archduke leopold wilhelm of austria (1614-1662), governor of the spanish netherlands, is shown mounted on a dappled grey steed, dressed in a simple grey coat and black hat, holding a baton of command in his hand. It was the archduke himself who received the keys of diksmuide following the town’s recapitulation to habsburg control. Commissioned from the artist in august 1649 by ottavio piccolomini (1599-1656), commander in chief of the army of the holy roman empire. Lot id: live auction 20055 lot 16 sale 7 dec 2021. Object Type: painting. Date: 1649. Dimensions: 41 1/8 x 53 ½ in. (104.5 x 136 cm.). Medium: oil on canvas. Depicted People: Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. Depicted Place: Diksmuide. Peter Snayers - The Siege of Diksmuide, 1647