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

This is an illustration made by Romeyn de Hooghe. He was working in the Netherlands at the end of the 17th Century and the image is for Allain Manesson Mallet's book, ‘The Labours of Mars’. This image speaks volumes about the intertwining of knowledge and power in early modern Europe. At the top, we see a heptagon, a seven-sided polygon, meticulously diagrammed, showing the geometric principles of fortification design. Below, is an illustration of soldiers in combat. The combination of geometry and military action reflects the period's emphasis on rationalizing warfare. Military success was thought to depend on scientific understanding and mathematical precision. Artists like de Hooghe played a crucial role in disseminating this knowledge. Understanding this image involves delving into military history, the history of science, and the social history of early modern Europe, all of which are illuminated by a museum’s collection of prints and books.