Beleg van Schenckenschans (middenblad), 1635 1635

Willem Hondius created this print, "Siege of Schenckenschans," in 1635, a visual testament to military strategy and cartographic skill. The compass rose dominates, an ancient symbol connecting our mortal endeavors with the cosmos. This directional guide is more than a navigational tool; it appears in nautical charts across cultures, from medieval portolans to Polynesian stick charts, each iteration embodying humanity's yearning to map and master the unknown. The compass, in a way, reflects our own psychological orientation—an attempt to find our bearings in a world of constant flux. Notice how the fortifications and troop movements are rendered with geometric precision. This reflects a desire to impose order on the chaos of war. Ultimately, the recurrence of the compass rose reminds us of the cyclical nature of history. Like the seasons, empires rise and fall. We, the viewers, are drawn into this historical drama on a deep, subconscious level.