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

This illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet's "Den Arbeid van Mars" was created by Romeyn de Hooghe, in the late 17th century. The print presents three distinct horizontal registers. The upper two depict precise, geometric plans of fortifications, rendered with meticulous detail. Below, a more organic rendering of a fortified city rising from a rocky coast completes the composition. The city, labeled "Artinsville," is portrayed with a detailed skyline of towers and buildings. The stark contrast between the technical precision of the fort plans and the lively depiction of the city introduces a dialogue between the abstract and the representational. De Hooghe employs line and form to explore themes of power and knowledge. The structured fortifications reflect Enlightenment ideals of order, control, and scientific observation applied to military strategy. The artist uses the formal elements to suggest the imposition of human intellect upon the natural landscape. The print invites us to consider how even functional, technical illustrations carry cultural and philosophical weight, reflecting broader shifts in how knowledge and power were perceived and visually encoded.