Schouwburg van den oorlog (blad III), 1702 Possibly 1702 - 1710

Pieter Schenk created this print, *Schouwburg van den oorlog*, around 1702 using etching techniques. The overall structure is a grid of nine scenes, each a detailed cartographic representation of various war theaters. The scenes, rendered in sepia tones, convey both precision and a sense of detachment, with the linear quality of the etching emphasizing the geometric forms of fortifications and landscapes. Each panel functions as a sign within a larger semiotic structure. The geometric shapes used to depict forts and battle formations may reflect a broader intellectual interest in rationalizing space and power. Schenk uses a consistent visual language across the panels, which suggests a desire to map not just the physical space of war but also its underlying logic. Notice the almost abstract quality in certain depictions, where the landscape is reduced to essential forms. The work reflects the contemporary philosophical interest in representing complex phenomena through simplified, structural frameworks. Each view operates within a cultural context of military strategy and the symbolic representation of conflict.