Kaart van het IJ, 1674 (rechterdeel) after 1674

This map of the IJ, made in 1674 by an anonymous artist, meticulously charts the depths near Amsterdam. Look at the structured grid of lines that dominate the composition. These lines represent a measured understanding, an effort to impose order on the natural world. The grid, as a symbol, has appeared in different contexts throughout history. In ancient Roman city planning, a similar grid-like structure symbolized dominion and organization. However, in Renaissance art, a grid might be used as a tool for perspective, a way to capture the likeness of the human form. Here, the grid's imposition on the water evokes something of the rational, scientific spirit emerging in the 17th century, connecting to a deeper, collective desire to chart and control the environment. This desire stems from the subconscious, a deep-seated need to manage the chaos of the world around us. It is a powerful, emotional engagement that resonates across time. We see it echoed in modern urban planning and digital mapping, evolving yet rooted in the same primal impulse.