Maastricht belegerd door Frederik Hendrik, 1632 1632

This engraving, made by Claes Jansz. Visscher, captures the siege of Maastricht by Frederik Hendrik in 1632. The star-shaped fortifications are the dominant symbol, a Renaissance innovation designed to defend against cannon fire. This motif echoes through history, from ancient city walls to modern military architecture. It's a visual manifestation of our enduring need for protection, a concept deeply rooted in our collective memory. Think of the concentric circles of a medieval castle, each layer a defense against the unknown, or even the layered defenses of a cell. The star fort speaks to our primal fear of invasion and our persistent striving for security. This symbol has been passed down and reinvented, each iteration reflecting the anxieties and technological capabilities of its time. It is an embodiment of human will imposed upon the landscape.