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

This illustration for 'The Labor of Mars', was rendered by Romeyn de Hooghe around the turn of the 18th century. The artwork is a masterclass in symbolic representation. Note the prominent geometric design above the city of Naples, a star-shaped polygon with bastions. This is not merely an aesthetic choice; the star fort is a symbol of military might, an evolution of defensive architecture designed to withstand siege. We see echoes of this form in Leonardo da Vinci's fortification designs, and even further back in ancient city plans meant to protect and control. The visual language of defense speaks to our primal instincts of survival and dominance. Just as the concentric circles in a medieval mandala offered spiritual protection, these geometric forms provide tangible, physical security. This image, laden with symbolic meaning, continues to resonate, reminding us of the enduring human quest for order and control in a chaotic world.