Plattegrond van Kortrijk 1652

Editor: Here we have an engraving from 1652 entitled "Plattegrond van Kortrijk," by an anonymous artist. It's a bird's-eye view of a city. I’m struck by how much detail the artist managed to include in this print. What does this remind you of or how do you interpret this kind of urban landscape from that time period? Curator: Well, seeing a Baroque-era city plan like this immediately takes me back to the era of expanding nation-states. Think about the Thirty Years' War just ending, and the ongoing competition for territory and power. Cityscapes weren’t just about recording geography; they were strategic assets, functioning as propaganda to highlight a city’s defenses and importance. Notice the prominence of the fortifications. Editor: Right, the star-shaped forts surrounding the city… so this isn’t just art for art's sake? Curator: Not at all. These prints served a purpose. They demonstrated control, military strength. Look how the waterways and the land around it all is ordered and controlled. Consider who was commissioning and consuming such images – rulers, military strategists, wealthy merchants. They were investing in this projection of power. Do you see any symbols of authority or identity included? Editor: There are crests or emblems up in the upper corners? I suppose those identify the ruling powers. So much for an innocent city map! Curator: Exactly! What seems like simple documentation is laden with political intent. It highlights the growing need to promote power and also to control. The image of the city became another tool in a much larger game. I suppose I look at something that has very small, innocuous components but symbolizes much bigger issues. Editor: That's fascinating; it makes you wonder what messages we're unintentionally sending with the cityscapes we create today. Curator: Indeed. It really goes to show the power of the image.