Plattegrond van Amsterdam met ontwerp en uitvoering van de Vierde Uitleg (vierde deel) Possibly 1663 - 1774

Julius Mülhüssen created this plan of Amsterdam with engraving around the mid-17th century. At first glance, the arrangement of dense lines articulates a structured space where water canals and built structures interact. This creates a pattern dominated by a grid-like expansion. The precision of the lines and the arrangement of the map reveal an effort to formalize and rationalize urban space. The sharp angles and rigid geometry could be seen as a visual parallel to the social structures of the time. Semiotically, water and land intersect to form a network of power and control, reflecting contemporary concerns with trade, expansion, and social order. Consider the visual order in this engraving as more than just a geographical tool. It reflects broader philosophical and societal trends, capturing a moment of transformation in the city’s development. It invites us to decode Amsterdam’s urban structure.