Rheinberg versterkt door graaf Ernst Casimir, 1605 1605

Baptista van Doetechum's engraving, "Rheinberg versterkt door graaf Ernst Casimir," created in 1605, offers a bird's-eye view of a fortified city, its stark lines and detailed textures conveying a sense of strategic planning and martial strength. The composition is dominated by the river, snaking through the landscape and dividing the visual space. The tight linework and contrasting tones create a sense of depth and texture, emphasizing the city's structures. This emphasis on structure over organic form embodies a rational, almost scientific approach to depicting space and power. We see the use of semiotics where conventional signs such as windmills and ships are used to convey meaning about the place. The map operates as a symbolic representation, where the artist employs conventional forms to communicate ideological concepts about territory, defence, and authority. The city, tightly encircled, appears as a testament to human engineering and control over the natural world. The piece invites us to decode its visual vocabulary and consider how it shapes perceptions of power.