Beleg van de forten bij Bergen op Zoom, 1747 1747

This is an anonymous 18th-century print, documenting the siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1747. The detailed lines and stark contrast between the black ink and the paper create a visual map of conflict. The geometric shapes of the fortifications juxtapose with the chaotic bursts representing explosions, evoking a sense of strategic order disrupted by the violence of war. The composition is structured around a semiotic grid. Forts, lines of defense, and troop movements are represented by symbolic signs. This cartographic approach, however, isn't just a neutral depiction; it's a constructed narrative. By highlighting specific lines of attack and defense, the image creates a discourse around military strategy and power. The detailed rendering invites the viewer to decode the spatial relationships, engaging with the underlying power dynamics of the siege. Note how the structured layout and symbolic elements not only convey information but also frame the viewer’s understanding of the historical events. The very act of mapping becomes an assertion of control, turning lived experience into an abstracted, interpretable form.