Plattegrond van het Huis te Gennep met de door de Spanjaarden aangelegde fortificaties, 1641 1641

This is Claes Jansz. Visscher’s print from 1641, detailing the fortifications made by the Spanish at Gennep. Observe the star-shaped fort, a symbol of military might in the 17th century, designed to resist cannon fire. These star forts remind me of the ancient obsession with sacred geometry – consider the Vitruvian Man. These shapes, imbued with a sense of divine order, transcended their original military function, becoming symbols of power and control. This is a motif we see echoed through the ages, from Renaissance city plans to modern architectural designs. Consider the psychological implications. The rigid geometry and symmetrical layout evoke a sense of imposing authority and control, engaging with our deep-seated fear of the unknown. The fort becomes a mirror reflecting our own anxieties about vulnerability and dominance. The star fort evolves from ancient symbols of cosmic harmony to representations of earthly power and resonates with a subconscious need for order in a chaotic world.