De schansen Sint-Andries en De Voorn, 1600 1647 - 1649

This is a 17th-century print depicting the sconces of Sint-Andries en De Voorn, showing star-shaped fortifications vital for defense during the period. The prominent star shape—a recurring motif—is not merely aesthetic. Its points allowed for overlapping fields of fire, a strategic advantage seen across Europe and beyond. Think of the star forts designed by Leonardo da Vinci or those in the New World; these shapes echo a primal need for protection and control, a pattern deeply embedded in our collective psyche. The star, also associated with guidance and higher ideals, here is subverted into an emblem of military might. Such fortifications remind us that symbols evolve, adapting to cultural and technological shifts, yet retain vestiges of their original emotional power. They resurface in our modern obsession with security and surveillance, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history and the persistence of deeply rooted anxieties.