Twee globes 1690

This anonymous print depicts two globes using etching techniques. Made in the Netherlands during the 17th century, the image reflects the emerging scientific revolution and the Dutch Republic's role in global trade and exploration. The upper globe shows the earth's surface, with the path to heaven, while the lower dissects its core into layers. Around them are scenes referencing both pagan and Christian traditions. The composition reflects a culture grappling with new ways of understanding the natural world. Prints like this were often commissioned by institutions like the Dutch East India Company, which played a key role in shaping global trade and colonization. The Dutch Golden Age saw increased interest in mapping and understanding the world for commercial and colonial expansion. The image is not simply about scientific curiosity, but about the social and economic forces driving it. To understand this print more fully, we can consult historical records like the company's archives, scientific treatises, and theological debates.