Kaart van de westkust van Portugal, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

This is an anonymous map of the west coast of Portugal made around 1702. At first glance, the stark contrast of the black lines against the creamy paper creates a striking visual impression, drawing you into its intricate details. The composition is dominated by a network of lines radiating from a central point, structuring the geographical space. The lines are not just representational but form a grid, a semiotic structure that speaks to the scientific and navigational precision of the era. It presents a world neatly ordered and rationalized. This ordering principle, however, can also be seen as a form of control. The map invites us to consider how such visual tools shaped our understanding and interaction with the world. It’s a reminder that every map is not just a depiction but also an interpretation, laden with the power to define and control space.