Plattegrond van Nieuwpoort, ca. 1695 1695 - 1697

This is a map of Nieuwpoort, dating back to around 1695, made by an anonymous artist. Notice the star-shaped fortress with its intricate network of walls and bastions. The star fort is a powerful symbol. We can find its echo in the radiant patterns of medieval rose windows and the protective auras drawn around sacred figures. It speaks to our deepest desire for safety, for impenetrable boundaries against the chaos of the world. Yet, the very act of fortification implies a threat, an external danger lurking just beyond the walls. This tension, between security and vulnerability, is a constant throughout history. Think of the ancient city-states, each striving to defend its territory. The walls of Troy, the Great Wall of China. The fear of invasion and the need to protect are primal. Even today, we see this motif in modern military architecture. The star fort, then, is more than just a historical artifact. It is a visual embodiment of our enduring psychological need for safety and control, reflecting our collective anxieties about the unknown. It represents humanity's age-old dance between protection and paranoia.