Kaart van het beleg en de verovering van Grevelingen, 1644 1652

This is an engraving, made in 1644 by an anonymous artist, depicting the siege and capture of Gravelines. The dominant impression is of a detailed, almost obsessively rendered map. Linear precision defines every element, from the ships at sea to the intricate fortifications and waterways. This emphasis on line, rather than tone or texture, flattens the image, creating a sense of abstracted space. The map’s rigorous structure, with its network of lines and geometric shapes, mirrors the military precision it represents. Yet, it also suggests broader intellectual currents. The map as a symbol of order, control, and the imposition of human reason onto the natural world. The semiotic system at play reduces the complexities of war to a series of signs. Fortifications, troop movements, and naval positions all become codified within a visual language. This reflects a worldview where even the most chaotic events can be understood through structure and representation. The artwork uses formalism as it is not just about conveying information. It's also about imposing a certain way of seeing. A perspective where the world is knowable, mappable, and ultimately, controllable.