De provincie Noord-Braband. - 380,000 inwoners 1844

Jan Schuitemaker's 'De provincie Noord-Braband. - 380,000 inwoners' is a monochrome print whose composition divides the page into distinct informational quadrants. Each section offers a different mode of representation, fostering a dialogue between cartography, urbanism, and landscape. The map provides a bird's eye view, the cityscape offers a street-level perspective, and the harbour and landscape situate us within nature. The use of line is particularly striking. Schuitemaker employs dense hatching and cross-hatching to build tone and texture. This technique emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, creating a sense of depth. Yet, the limited tonal range and repetitive marks flatten the image, almost resembling the effect of a woodcut. One might consider this work as an early form of infographic. Schuitemaker uses semiotic codes to convey information, blending geographical data with cultural and economic information. The print destabilizes traditional categories of art and information design, encouraging us to contemplate the relationship between image, text, and knowledge.