Gezicht op Tours in vogelvluchtperspectief c. 1610 - 1657

Here we see an anonymous aerial view of Tours, rendered with ink and watercolour in a book format. The composition is neatly divided into two registers, with the city below and the sky above. A horizon line delicately separates the earthly realm from the celestial. The city, depicted in meticulous detail, is a dense tapestry of buildings and roads. The use of a bird's-eye perspective flattens the urban space, presenting it as a structured network. This method of representation transforms Tours into a semiotic landscape, where each element functions as a signifier of urban life and organization. Above, the soft pastels of the sky offer a contrasting sense of openness. Light, airy clouds float over the city, adding a layer of atmospheric depth. The artist seems to be playing with visual codes of representation. The book format itself adds another layer of meaning. It suggests that this image is not merely a representation of a city, but also an invitation to study and interpret its structure.