Illustratie voor 'Den Arbeid van Mars' van Allain Manesson Mallet 1672

This is Romeyn de Hooghe's engraving, an illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet's 'Den Arbeid van Mars', depicting the city of Breda. The star-shaped fortifications ringing Breda speak volumes. These aren't mere defensive structures; they're symbols of power, echoes of ancient fortifications adapted to withstand the age of gunpowder. We see star forts echoing in Leonardo da Vinci's architectural sketches, and even further back, in the concentric layouts of ancient cities. This symbol, the star, evolves, adapting to the needs and fears of each era. The walls evoke a sense of security, but are also a reminder of human conflict and the ever-present threat of invasion. Consider how such shapes and structures resonate on a subconscious level. Perhaps, in their ordered geometry, there is an echo of our primal desire for control, for containment, for a bulwark against chaos. It is the cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different contexts.