Gezicht op een fort in Dalmatië, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

This print, “View of a Fort in Dalmatia,” was likely made around 1702 by an anonymous artist. It’s a detailed etching, rendered at a time when the visual representation of territories was of strategic importance. Dalmatia, a region in present-day Croatia, was a contested space between the Ottoman and Venetian empires. The fort here represents power, control, and the imposition of a particular order on the landscape. We see soldiers in the foreground, their presence reminding us of the constant conflicts and power struggles of the time. Such topographical prints served a purpose beyond mere aesthetics. They were tools for understanding, mapping, and potentially dominating territories. The Rijksmuseum's records, along with other historical archives, would provide more context about the print's commission, its intended audience, and its role in shaping perceptions of this region. By viewing art as a product of its socio-political context, we gain a richer understanding of its historical significance.