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

This 1672 etching by Romeyn de Hooghe is an illustration for the book “Den Arbeid van Mars” by Allain Manesson Mallet, a renowned military engineer. The print depicts a bird's eye view of the town of Breda, with a geometric diagram above it. The geometric diagram, with its lettered points, suggests a plan or fortification, a common topic in military engineering. De Hooghe, a master of etching, skillfully rendered the intricate details of the city, with its churches and surrounding landscape. This artwork is an intriguing example of the collaboration between artists and military thinkers in the 17th century.