Verschillende van de belangrijkste typen schansen en vestingen, 1624-1625 1625 - 1626

This anonymous print, Verschillende van de belangrijkste typen schansen en vestingen, made around 1624-1625, presents a stark and compelling array of fortress designs through the meticulous use of line and form. The composition is dominated by geometric shapes – primarily variations of star-shaped fortifications – rendered with sharp, precise lines that define their complex structures. These shapes, repeated and slightly altered across the page, create a visual rhythm that draws the eye across the detailed renderings. The use of hatching and shading lends depth to the otherwise flat designs, emphasizing the three-dimensionality of the fortifications. What we see reflected here is not only an exercise in architectural representation, but also a demonstration of power and control through design. The print’s starkness is a testament to its functional purpose, yet the careful artistry elevates it beyond mere utility, inviting us to consider the aesthetic dimensions of military architecture.