Plattegrond van Klundert 1632

This undated, anonymous print offers a bird's-eye view of Klundert, focusing on its fortifications, those star-shaped projections extending outwards. These are star forts, or "trace Italienne," whose geometry allowed defenders to cover all angles, eliminating dead ground. The star fort represents a shift in military and architectural thinking, becoming widespread in Europe from the 15th century onward. Think of the fortresses designed by Michelangelo around Florence, which integrate similar principles of defense. These forts reveal the anxieties and necessities of their eras, but they also reflect an underlying human desire: the yearning for security, visible in everything from ancient city walls to modern defense systems. The deep-seated need for protection surfaces throughout history, continuously adapting in form. This image serves as another example of the cyclical patterns of human experience, echoing through the ages.