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

This illustration for 'Den Arbeid van Mars' was created by Romeyn de Hooghe in the Netherlands during the late 17th century. Created for a book by Allain Manesson Mallet, the print combines mathematical diagrams with a chaotic battle scene. We see geometry imposed upon the chaos of warfare. The cool rationality of the diagrams contrasts sharply with the violence below, suggesting a detached, almost clinical approach to military strategy. De Hooghe lived in a time of great political and military upheaval in the Netherlands. His work often reflected the intersection of war, politics, and social life. He was commissioned to document events from the Franco-Dutch war, and became known for allegorical and propaganda prints, as well as topographical works and maps. This image encapsulates how the science of war developed during the 17th century, and invites reflection on the human cost of military campaigns.