Drie forten in Vlaanderen, ca. 1693-1696 1693

This engraving by Harmanus van Loon, circa 1693-1696, shows three fortresses in Flanders, each meticulously designed with star-shaped fortifications. These star forts, with their angular projections, were born out of the necessity to defend against cannon fire, a dance of death and geometry. Consider how the star motif in the fortifications mirrors the Vitruvian Man, another symbol of Renaissance ingenuity and defense against chaos. The star, which represents the humanistic impulse to understand and control one’s environment through rational, geometric design, reappears throughout history. From the Star of David, an ancient signifier of divine protection, to its adaptation in military architecture, the star, the most ancient and universal of symbols, transcends its meaning in the collective consciousness as a symbol of guidance, protection, and aspiration. This image engages us on a deeper level, reflecting our persistent efforts to impose order and security onto a turbulent world. It is not merely a map, but a projection of human desire to shield ourselves from the unpredictable.