THE BATTLE OF BOURTANGE
In the 17th century, war was a daily occurrence. The revolutionary star shaped Fortress of Bourtange was a brilliant military base strategically located to protect the Netherlands.
Today, every two years, a battle is reenacted at the fortress as it might have looked back then— Featuring more than 600 reenactors and historically accurate down to the finest detail.
The Battle of Bourtange Foundation has asked me to create a series that honors this historic battle and tells its story in the way it deserves.
Portraits of historical figures, scenes on the battlefield, and life in the camp. This series tells the story of the Battle of Bourtange.
The Captains Council
We are standing in the original home of the Dutch Colonel Bernard Johan Prott located in the fortress. Prott commanded Bourtange in the Year of Disaster in 1672.
The captains are discussing plans for the possible battle to come.
The Bishop of Münster offered Prott 200,000 coins to surrender. Prott refused and said that 200,000 bullets were waiting for him.
A clear sign that they were ready for battle.
The Battle of Bourtange | ‘The Battlefield’
T H E B A T T L E F I E L D
I was granted the exceptional privilege of entering the battlefield itself to capture this Hollywood-style spectacle.
With real weapons, cannons and muskets, manoeuvring amongst the troops felt realistically dangerous, but just this makes it unreal.
The extraordinary historically accurate organisation and staging of the battle made it feel like I was really in the middle of this war.
The Battle of Bourtange | ‘life on the Camp’
The Battle of Bourtange | ‘Storm above the Fortress’
Colonel Bernard Johan Prott
Bernard Johan Prott was a famous Dutch commander in the 17th century. During the Year of Disaster 1672, as commander of the fortress of Bourtange, he successfully held his ground against the notorious “Bommen Berend,” who sought to capture Bourtange as an important strategic position.
The goal of this series was to create a formal portrait of the Dutch general in honor of him and his achievements.
His house within the fortress has been left completely intact.
During the battles, I found someone who bore a striking resemblance to Prott, and I collected clothing befitting the status of a Dutch general.
