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

This 1672 etching by Romeyn de Hooghe, entitled "Illustratie voor 'Den Arbeid van Mars' van Allain Manesson Mallet," depicts a detailed diagram of an octagon, or eight-sided geometric shape. The diagram is labeled with letters and numbers, and it shows how to construct an octagon using compass and straightedge. Below the diagram is a scene of soldiers on horseback, illustrating a military tactic or formation. The image showcases de Hooghe's mastery of detailed engraving, particularly in the precise rendering of the geometrical figure and the clarity of the soldiers' postures.