Vestingplattegrond van Corbie 1656

This is a vestingplattegrond of Corbie, an anonymous work rendered with ink and watercolor. A fortified city is seen from above, and its walls, shaped like stars, are echoed in countless city plans throughout Europe. The star fort is more than a design, it is a symbol. It speaks to the historical trajectory of military architecture, where geometric precision became paramount. This design echoes through the ages, resembling the concentric circles of ancient city-states and even finding resonance in the geometric patterns of crop circles – subconscious echoes of control and defense. The surrounding rivers, painted with serene blues, are a symbolic dichotomy. The rivers, while providing sustenance, have also served as routes for invaders, mirroring life's inherent uncertainties. They reflect a continuous cycle of construction and destruction, forever etched in our collective memory. In its totality, this plan is not merely cartography but a potent reminder of humanity’s enduring dance with time and conflict.