Kaart van het Waasland 1706 - 1712

Jacobus Harrewijn created this map of Waasland in pen and brown ink with a brush in gray. At first glance, the intricate web of lines captures your attention. The rivers, borders, and roads are depicted with striking precision. Notice how the texture of the land is suggested through subtle variations in shading and line density. The map’s structure reflects a meticulous effort to impose order on geographical space. Harrewijn's map isn't just a document; it is an interpretation. It is a discourse about power, boundaries, and spatial control. The lines delineating territories are visual assertions of authority, transforming fluid landscapes into fixed entities. Consider the map's function. Its aesthetic qualities aren’t merely decorative; they serve to enhance the map's authority. This interplay between aesthetics and power invites us to reconsider how we see and understand the territories around us.