Geschiedenis en de vier werelddelen 1737

Pieter Yver created this print, "History and the Four Corners of the World," using etching in the 18th-century Netherlands. It allegorically represents History recording world events, with figures symbolizing the four continents. Consider the context: the Dutch Republic was a major center of cartography and trade, deeply invested in understanding and representing the world. This print reflects that interest. But it also shows us how the world was viewed through a European lens. The continents are rendered as classical figures, their identities shaped by European ideas. The artist also refers to institutions: History is personified as a female figure writing in a book – alluding to the era's academies and libraries. In the background, you can see the representation of 'peace' being negotiated, in front of an altar. This is a clear reference to institutions for diplomacy. To understand this work fully, we might consult period maps, travel literature, and records from institutions such as universities and trading companies. Art history illuminates not just the past, but also the institutions that shape the ways we view it.