Kaart van de slag bij Petrovaradin, 1716 1716 - 1729

This is an anonymous map from 1716, detailing the battle of Petrovaradin. Executed with fine lines, the monochromatic palette emphasizes form, creating an absorbing network of topographical details. The composition is structured around the confluence of rivers, a strategic point depicted with remarkable precision. The map’s perspective offers a bird’s-eye view, abstracting the landscape into a series of signs, a semiotic system where each line and shape represents a real feature. This cartographic representation is not merely descriptive; it reflects the period's obsession with order and control. The map destabilizes our understanding of space. It invites us to consider how such visual encoding shapes our perception of territory and power. Notice how the intricate linework transforms chaotic geography into a structured, comprehensible form. This process reveals that the map isn't just a depiction but a constructed view of reality.