Military architecture and siege warfare in early modern Europe

Pieter Martens’ research is concerned with military architecture, engineering, urbanism, siege warfare and urban iconography in early modern Europe (1450-1700). His research has focused mainly on the Low Countries, within a European perspective. The international dimension of this research is evident from the attention it devotes to, among others: the chronic border wars with France; the broader context of the Spanish-Habsburg empire; and the manifold exchanges with Italy, mainly through Italian engineers and army commanders working in the Low Countries. He has previously published (in English, French, Italian and Dutch) on themes such as: the development of the bastioned system; the process of planning, design and construction of fortifications; the use of drawings in this process; the interactions between Italian engineers and local building masters; the international circulation of engineers and their knowledge; the linguistic assimilation of new technical terminology; the role of patrons such as princes, noblemen and army officers in the planning process; the practice of siege warfare, with particular attention for the impact of gunpowder artillery. Another major research subject concerns urban iconography and the depiction of cities and sieges in different media (drawings, prints, paintings, tapestries, etc.). Besides more general studies on engineering in the Low Countries at the time of Charles V and Philip II, specific case studies have included: Michelangelo’s fortification designs, Albrecht Dürer’s treatise on military architecture, Alexander Farnese’s engineering works, Hieronymus Cock’s military and chorographic prints, engineer Pierre Le Poivre’s life and work, count Pierre-Ernest de Mansfeld’s patronage, and the sieges and destructions of Thérouanne and Hesdin in 1553.

Researchers interested in an advanced project related to military architecture, engineering, urbanism, siege warfare or urban iconography in early modern Europe are welcome to discuss ideas in the context of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship. More broadly I also welcome proposals dealing with interactions between art/architecture and science/technology in the long sixteenth century.

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