Kaart van de grietenij Aengwirden

This is Jacob van Meurs' map of Aengwirden, created sometime in the 17th century using engraving techniques. It’s an object that speaks volumes about the social structures of its time. Consider the perspective embedded in this map. Land ownership and geographical knowledge were tools of power. Van Meurs made this map during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic growth and colonial expansion. This map served practical purposes, such as for administration and legal jurisdiction, but also asserted control over territory. Who gets to define and represent a space, and whose stories are included or excluded? The detailed visual language of the map invites us to reflect on the intersections of power, knowledge, and representation. While seemingly straightforward, maps like these played a role in shaping identities and reinforcing hierarchies. They remind us that what we see is always framed by those who create the image.