Deel van een vierdelige kaart van Zwitserland (linksonder) 1712

This map of Switzerland was made by Emanuel Schalch; it’s an engraved print, likely on paper. The act of engraving is crucial to understanding this map. Think of the artist, meticulously carving lines into a metal plate. Each stroke represents a deliberate decision, a transfer of knowledge about the landscape onto a physical medium. Look closely at the details - the mountains, the forests, the towns. They are all rendered through a network of lines, each one pressed into the paper. The making of this map was a laborious process; a true craft. It embodies the intersection of art, science, and manual skill. Yet, it also speaks to larger issues of labor and knowledge, and how these things were produced and disseminated in early modern Europe. Ultimately, this map challenges us to expand our understanding of art history, embracing the significance of materials, techniques, and the social context in which they were created.