Antique Print of the Second Day of the Battle of Warsaw, Poland

Antique print titled 'Proelium ad Warsauiam dies Secundis'. This large print depicts the Battle of Warsaw. The Battle of Warsaw took place near Warsaw on July 28–July 30 [O.S. July 18–20] 1656, between the armies of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden and Brandenburg. It was a major battle in the Second Northern War between Poland and Sweden in the period 1655–1660, also known as The Deluge. According to Hajo Holborn, it marked "the beginning of Prussian military history".

In the battle, a smaller Swedish-Brandenburg force, but with the fire superiority of infantry and artillery gained victory over a Polish–Lithuanian force superior in numbers, though in the long term the victory achieved little. Polish–Lithuanian losses were insignificant, since the Polish noble levy promptly and unbroken retreated from the battlefield. This particular work shows the second day. Charles moved his entire army to the Polish right, through the Bialoleka Forest onto a narrow plain, consolidating his position before the Polish hussars could react. Aleksander Polbinski's 800 hussars drove into the three lines of cavalry, reiter, guarding the flanks of Charles' infantry. The hussars broke through the first line of Uppland and Småland regiments, but deprived of support, they were stopped by the flank fire of the Swedish regiments. As a result of the attack, Charles Gustav was in danger and wounded. The kozacka cavalry, the pancerna, did not participate in the attack, being held in reserve. Seeing that the Swede-Brandenburg allies held their ground, John II Casimir withdrew his army across the Vistula bridge, covered by his cavalry. Engraved by Willem Swidde, (Dutch, (1660-1661)–1697) After Count Erik Jönsson Dahlberg, (Swedish, 1625–1703). Published 1656.

Condition: Good. General age-related toning, minor wear. Original folding line, two sheets joined. Blank verso. Please study image carefully.

Date: 1656

Overall size: 61.2 x 36.4 cm.