Kaart van Zeeland c. 1635 - 1696

This is an anonymous map of Zeeland, a region in the Netherlands. This detailed engraving from an unknown date features a cherubic figure in the upper left corner, emerging from the waves. This motif of a child emerging from water is not unique to Zeeland; the same figure appears across cultures and centuries as a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life. Think of the ancient Greek depictions of Aphrodite being born from the seafoam or the story of baby Moses drifting along the Nile. In each instance, the child represents a powerful promise of what is to come. It taps into our deepest collective memories, evoking feelings of hope and anticipation. This cartographic representation of Zeeland uses this symbol to suggest the potential and the ever-changing nature of the land. A powerful force that reminds us of the ceaseless dance between humanity and nature.