Mislukte aanval op Nijmegen, 1589 c. 1589 - 1591

"Mislukte aanval op Nijmegen, 1589", or "Failed Attack on Nijmegen, 1589," by Frans Hogenberg is an engraving made around 1589, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The print immerses us in a bird’s-eye view of the Dutch city, where the structural organization is meticulously displayed, integrating architectural and natural elements. The town of Nijmegen is depicted in a layout that uses geometric forms to divide the space into the river, its banks and the town. This structuring reflects the order and complexity of urban life during the 16th century. Linear forms are used to depict buildings and walls, creating a sense of depth and spatial arrangement. Note how Hogenberg is using shape, line and form to represent both the physical elements of the city and the human activity within it. What is communicated here is the relationship between human actions and the environment. This is where a clear connection is made between the representation and the understanding of space. The artwork creates a semiotic system that engages with our comprehension of urban spaces.