Plattegrond van Rouen, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

This is a plan of Rouen, made around 1702 by an anonymous artist. The plan gives us a bird's-eye view of the city, revealing the intricate network of streets and buildings enclosed within its walls. In the upper left corner, a figure sits, possibly an allegory for the city itself. Above, a winged figure crowns her with a laurel, symbolising glory and victory, echoing classical Roman art. The seated figure, however, is not new; she recalls ancient river gods, symbols of the city's prosperity and connection to the world through the river. The river, a source of life and commerce, flows through this map as a constant force, much like the rivers depicted in ancient Mesopotamian art. This motif of the river, as a symbol of life and continuity, has persisted through the ages, reappearing in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings. This recurring symbol echoes a collective memory of the importance of water in shaping human civilisation, constantly resurfacing in the collective consciousness.