Vuurtoren van Alexandrië 1572

Philips Galle created this print of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in the late 16th century, a time when the spice trade and global exploration were expanding European horizons. Here, the lighthouse, an ancient wonder of the world, is imagined through a lens that blends historical reverence with the commercial and political ambitions of Galle's era. Galle’s detailed rendering not only showcases the lighthouse’s architectural marvel but also situates it within a bustling maritime context, filled with ships that evoke a sense of trade and connection. But what about the cultural and labor exchanges, often fraught with exploitation, that these ships represent? It’s interesting to consider that for Galle and his contemporaries, the lighthouse was not just a navigational aid but a symbol of power. The lighthouse embodies the complex intersections of knowledge, power, and identity that shaped the early modern world.