War, with all its horrors, has long dominated Europe. Barely one century has known peacetime. The haunting images created by Renaissance and Baroque artists to illustrate this theme borrow heavily from the ancient world.

Graphic arts and prints show how various lands and spoils are divided up after a military conflict. The big winners are warlords and generals. Simple soldiers usually go empty-handed. Triumphal processions are celebrations for the people, but they primarily serve to glorify the ruler. And yet there are mocking images among them: some depict the captain of truth and some the clown of foolishness.