Vogelvluchtkaart van Venetië c. 1500 - 1514

Here is Jacopo de' Barbari's "Vogelvluchtkaart van Venetië," a large-scale woodcut, created between 1497 and 1516, during the height of Venice's power as a maritime republic. This "bird's-eye view" offers a detailed, almost fantastical, representation of Venice. The map’s meticulous detail isn't just cartographic; it's a statement of Venetian identity and pride. Venice, at the time, was not only a center of trade and culture but also a complex social hierarchy. De' Barbari’s map subtly reflects this hierarchy, with its emphasis on the grand palazzi and bustling waterways which would have been the domain of the city’s elite. Moreover, Venice's relationship to the sea – its source of wealth and power, but also vulnerability – is palpable. The map captures Venice at a pivotal moment, a city caught between its earthly ambitions and the ever-present forces of nature. It speaks to the lived experience of its inhabitants, their fears, dreams, and daily negotiations with a unique and challenging environment.