Plattegrond van Brussel (deel midden onder) 1640 - 1748

Curator: Looking at this cityscape, what first springs to mind? It's titled 'Plattegrond van Brussel (deel midden onder)', essentially a map of Brussels, made sometime between 1640 and 1748. Editor: A labyrinth! I feel instantly transported to a miniature world. All those tiny lines and shapes – a delicate, almost obsessive rendering of urban space. The defensive walls really stand out; they have such sharp geometry compared to the organic sprawl within the city. Curator: It is an engraving, meticulously crafted to convey not only geographical accuracy but also a sense of the city's fortifications. Cityscapes such as this one fulfilled both practical and symbolic purposes. Maps weren't just about getting from point A to point B. They projected power. Editor: Power, definitely. You can feel the weight of military strategy etched into the image, those imposing angular fortresses designed to protect. And the strange sense of control from above - a very particular view, literally overlooking human existence within. Does the lack of human figure enhance this distant perspective? Curator: Precisely! These city maps, quite popular from the 16th through the 18th centuries, served as propaganda showcasing a city's strength and order. Imagine being a ruler, gazing at this; you would be seeing a controlled, defined territory. Editor: It does invite this somewhat chilling, all-seeing perspective. Almost godlike. Although, you can't deny the detail – look at those meticulously drawn houses and gardens within the walls. Did the artist go and visit all the buildings in person? It looks a crazy amount of work to me! Curator: Highly unlikely! They would have relied on surveyors, but that doesn’t take away from the sheer artistic dedication required to transfer that information into such an intricate engraving. Editor: This piece captures a precise point in time but does so with tremendous character. I wander if our modern maps, with all their satellite accuracy, can express this same level of personality. Curator: Technology has offered us immense possibilities, no doubt, but what may be lost in sheer accuracy may be gained through individual artistry such as what is shown in this engraving.