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

Romeyn de Hooghe created this illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet's 'Den Arbeid van Mars.' A schematic rendering of a pentagonal fortification dominates the upper half of the composition. Note how the pentagon, a symbol laden with meaning since antiquity, rises above a military procession. The pentagon, long associated with protection and power, echoes through time. We find it in ancient symbols of security and, disturbingly, in more modern military contexts. The march of soldiers below, their drums beating a rhythm of war, grounds the abstract geometry in stark reality. Consider how the symbolism of the pentagon has morphed: from ancient talismans to complex military fortifications. This image captures the duality of the human psyche and the oscillation between a desire for safety and the relentless pursuit of power. These archetypal patterns resonate deeply, continuing to resurface and evolve in our collective consciousness.