Vestingplattegrond van Nîmes 1638

This is an anonymous plan of Nîmes, whose date and medium are unspecified. At first glance, the Vestingplattegrond’s bright pink, green, and yellow hues might evoke a sense of whimsy, yet a closer look reveals its structural complexity. The map's composition is divided into distinct zones, each defined by color and texture. The pink fortress dominates the center, surrounded by a green and yellow perimeter that bleeds out into a landscape of rivers and hills. This organization invites us to consider the dual nature of the map: as both an aesthetic object and a practical tool. The regular geometry of the fortification walls and angled bastions contrasts with the more organic rendering of the surrounding terrain. This could be interpreted as a visual representation of power structures asserting control over the natural world. The anonymous plan is not merely a depiction of space but an encoded narrative about power, knowledge, and representation.