Woman Lighting a Rocket, also called Peace Gets Me Going, from Communia Gaudia (The Wide-Spread Rejoicing at the Siege of Namur)

The mezzotint medium is particularly effective in this and a related print by Cornelis Dusart, in which the high level of contrast emphasizes the presence of fiery light. To the left of the woman, flames engulf a wooden wheel; and to the right, townspeople gather in celebration. The man in a related image has several more rockets secured in his belt, ready to be lit (1964.46). These pyrotechnics celebrated King William III’s reclamation of the city of Namaur from the French, who had previously besieged it in 1692.