Profiel van Deventer (plaat III) 1615

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print, titled "Profiel van Deventer", around the early 17th century. It offers us a view of the city of Deventer, a significant trading post in the Netherlands at that time. Prints like this were not just simple depictions, they were deeply embedded in the social and economic currents of the Dutch Golden Age. Visscher's choice to highlight the city's profile, dominated by its waterways and skyline, speaks volumes about the era's priorities. The ships and the river "FLU" aren't just picturesque elements, they reflect the city's lifeblood: trade and commerce. What's particularly striking is the figure floating above the city. She holds a shield emblazoned with the city's coat of arms, a symbol of power, protection, and civic identity. Visscher's print provides a glimpse into the values and aspirations of a society on the brink of immense cultural and economic power. It invites us to reflect on how cities shape identity, and how identity, in turn, shapes our world.