Wapenrand van een kaart van de Alblasserwaard en de Vijfheerenlanden (deel) 1716

Curator: Standing before us is "Wapenrand van een kaart van de Alblasserwaard en de Vijfheerenlanden (deel)," or, Border of a Map of the Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden (part). It’s an intaglio print dating back to 1716. Editor: Wow, that’s quite a mouthful. The Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden—sounds like something straight out of a fairytale. Anyway, the thing that strikes me first is this overall feeling of controlled chaos. It’s incredibly intricate, almost overwhelmingly so, but contained within very deliberate boundaries. Curator: Precisely. The baroque style, characterized by its exuberance and drama, is certainly on full display here. Consider the dense arrangement of leaves, scrolls, and that fierce eagle perched atop the helmet. And yet, the artist masterfully balances the composition, directing our gaze toward the central coat of arms. Editor: Speaking of the coat of arms, those double-headed eagles give off a "Game of Thrones" vibe, no? I guess symbolism was everything back then— it’s not just a pretty picture but a carefully constructed representation of identity and power. I imagine it says volumes about Johannes van Asperen—that's his name, if I'm reading that inscription correctly. Curator: Yes, “De Heer Johannes van Asperen, Schout en Secretaris van Streefkerk, Hoog Heemraad.” So, Johannes van Asperen, Bailiff and Secretary of Streefkerk, and High Counselor. A man of considerable importance. The formal qualities, the symmetrical design and controlled execution are interesting from a purely aesthetic perspective, however I do find that cold and limiting, not quite considering what’s been put into it from a creator’s standpoint. This print could represent a connection to history or ancestral pride for Johannes. I feel a strong personal meaning deeply entwined with place—with that area called the Alblasserwaard en Vijfheerenlanden. Editor: Absolutely! Maybe this print reminds me to dive beneath surface-level assessments in everything that I see from now on, to uncover something of depth or some sort of history. Curator: A fruitful insight. A map isn’t just a grid. Even a heraldic image can hold stories if we care to look closely.