Illustratie voor 'Den Arbeid van Mars' van Allain Manesson Mallet

Romeyn de Hooghe made this illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet’s ‘Den Arbeid van Mars’, sometime around the late 17th century. It combines geometry with warfare. The diagram at the top, a ‘Demonstration of the Hexagon Errard,’ shows abstract mathematical principles, while below, we see a landscape with troops engaged in battle before a fortified town. This combination reflects the period’s fascination with applying scientific thinking to military strategy. The use of geometry to plan fortifications or troop movements was becoming increasingly important. De Hooghe, working in the Dutch Republic, engaged critically with the political events of his time. His prints often depicted military and political events, sometimes serving as propaganda. To fully understand this image, one could consult military treatises of the time and study De Hooghe’s other works. The illustration shows how art is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.