Plattegrond van Turijn 1701 - 1733

Curator: So, here we have "Plattegrond van Turijn" a cityscape from between 1701 and 1733, etched by Abraham Allard. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s amazing how much detail he got into this print. I’m particularly struck by the defensive walls. What do you make of that elaborate design? Curator: The star-shaped fortifications tell us so much about the mindset of the era! Look how the city almost huddles within them. What does it evoke in you? Editor: It definitely gives me a sense of being enclosed. Protected, yes, but also a little trapped. Curator: Precisely! Remember, this was the Baroque period. Think about the lavish courts, the power struggles. Those walls weren't just about keeping enemies out; they were about control, about defining space. Allard isn't just depicting Turin; he’s capturing a feeling. How does it differ from a modern map, do you think? Editor: Well, a modern map is really practical, focused on getting from A to B. This feels more… symbolic, maybe? Curator: Exactly! Modern maps show how to navigate; this shows how to *feel* about a city. There's a little bit of dreaminess mixed with hard strategic thinking embedded in these old maps. Do you see that interplay too? Editor: I think so. It’s fascinating to think about how much the design of a city was dictated by defense, more than convenience. Curator: Indeed! Art gives us a peek not just into what a place looked like, but how people lived and what was important to them, down to how they conceived safety and borders.