Gezicht op de Rijn en de wijk Sankt Alban in Basel

Editor: This is *View of the Rhine and the Sankt Alban district in Basel* by Caspar Jacobsz. Philips, dating from 1755. It's an etching and engraving – a print, really. I'm immediately struck by how orderly everything seems, very composed and almost…idyllic. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a deliberate construction of civic pride. Notice how the cityscape is meticulously rendered, prioritizing clarity and order. It presents a particular narrative, almost a sanitized view of Basel. But who is this narrative *for*, and who is excluded? Consider the absence of certain realities – the poor, the marginalized. The artist made definite choices about what and who to depict. What kind of socio-political message do you think is embedded within this very constructed reality? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a picture of a city, but a statement? Perhaps about control and projecting a certain image of power? The focus on the architecture and the waterways…almost like showing off infrastructure and established hierarchies? Curator: Exactly. The Rhine wasn’t just a scenic feature, it was a crucial trade route, a source of livelihood, and a site of potential conflict. Highlighting this portrays Basel as a centre of commerce and a power. This isn't simply about recording reality; it’s about shaping perception. Now think about what other visual cues reinforce the economic or political status-quo. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. I was just looking at it as a pretty picture. Seeing it as a projection of power relations adds a whole new dimension. Thank you! Curator: Absolutely, my hope is to see every artwork as more than its surface, considering whose perspectives are being presented and whose voices may be intentionally silenced.