Plattegrond van Tienen 1616

This is Frans Hogenberg’s ‘Plattegrond van Tienen’, an engraving made around 1540-1590. Observe the town's layout, enclosed within defensive walls, a symbol of protection and order. The plan reveals not just streets and structures, but a deeper story of human organization. The act of mapping is ancient. Consider the Roman cadastres, meticulously drawn to establish governance. Here, the map serves a similar function. These aren’t simply lines on parchment. They're embodiments of power, control, and a desire to impose order on the world. Look at the two coats of arms: these emblems are visual declarations of authority and identity, echoing heraldic traditions across Europe. What psychological weight did these symbols carry for the map’s viewers? They instilled a sense of belonging, but also of potential conflict and division. Symbols are cyclical, they appear, disappear, and are reborn, constantly renewing their meaning.