Schouwburg van den oorlog (blad X), 1709 1709 - 1722

Pieter Schenk’s “Schouwburg van den oorlog,” made in 1709, presents us with a theatrical display of war through detailed cartography. Each map serves as a stage, presenting military campaigns and sieges as dramatic performances. Note the repeated use of fortified cities, their walls like masks worn by the players of war. Such imagery dates back to ancient city-state emblems, where the city walls symbolized security and power, but here they evoke a sense of entrapment and conflict. Consider how the visual representation of the city—a motif that recurs throughout history—evolves from a symbol of civilization to a battleground. The psychological impact of such imagery lies in its ability to transform geographical space into a theater of human suffering. It engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into collective memories of conflict and the ever-present tension between order and chaos. This cyclical progression reveals how symbols of power and protection can become symbols of strife, resurfacing across different historical contexts.