Vestingplattegrond van Brussel, gebombardeerd door het Franse leger in 1695 1695 - 1711

This is an anonymous engraving depicting Brussels, as it was bombarded by the French army in 1695. At first glance, the city is depicted in its entirety, encased in a star-shaped fortification. This star motif echoes through history. From ancient protective symbols to the elaborate fortresses of the Renaissance, we see this shape reborn time and again. Think of the pentagram, revered in many cultures as a ward against evil, or Leonardo da Vinci's geometric studies of ideal city layouts, which similarly featured star-shaped fortifications. It is not merely defense, but the eternal human drive to impose order, to shield ourselves from chaos, made manifest. Even now, subconsciously, the sight of such forms might stir feelings of protection, or perhaps confinement, a duality that speaks to our deepest fears and desires. This symbol continues its cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.