Prospekt af Flensborg 1746

Michael Fosie created this print of Flensborg using etching techniques. The composition is neatly divided into three horizontal bands: the sky, the city with its architectural elements, and the harbor filled with ships. This structure provides a sense of order and clarity, inviting us to systematically scan the image. Fosie's use of line is particularly striking. Fine, parallel lines create areas of shading and texture, giving depth to the clouds and water. The etched lines define every building, sail, and ripple, showcasing an impressive attention to detail and precision. The etching presents a worldview of the 18th century, where the visual representation aimed to capture the world as an inventory of observed, measurable details. This systematic approach resonates with the Enlightenment's emphasis on empirical observation. The detailed rendering of the harbor and city invites the viewer to examine and interpret the world through the lens of order and reason.