Does anyone know when gabions first appeared in Western Europe?

The ancient Romans used gabions, at least in civil engineering. Some translations of Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, say that gabions were used (in siege). Not all translations, though. I haven't compared the various translations, or checked the original, so don't know if "gabion" is a reliable translation.

Their use in field fortifications to protect artillery appears in late 15th century art.

Which particular kind of gabions? The late-medieval to early modern basketwork type? Modern wirework? Hesco bastions? The term has been used for several different kinds of genetically unrelated structures used for similar purposes, so you need to clarify.