Beleg van Huy, 1705 1714 - 1716

Matthijs Pool etched this image of the Siege of Huy in 1705. The dominant visual elements are the fortifications—the star-shaped forts and walled city—symbols of power, control, and the imposition of order upon the landscape. These fortified structures echo throughout history, from ancient Roman castra to medieval castles. The star fort design, perfected during the Renaissance, reflects a culture obsessed with geometric perfection and military dominance. Consider how such designs reappear in later city planning and even garden layouts, revealing an enduring human desire to structure our environment. Here, however, these symbols of strength are under siege, a reminder that even the most imposing structures are vulnerable. The presence of the weaponry at the bottom of the image evokes a deep, primal fear and fascination. This duality—imposing strength threatened by external forces—engages our collective memory of conflict and resilience, resonating on a subconscious level. This cyclical progression reminds us that no symbol, no matter how powerful, remains static. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings across the currents of time.