Plattegrond van Venetië 1700 - 1735

This is an anonymous, undated map of Venice. The formal structure is immediately striking, defined by a network of canals and waterways that carve through the city's dense urban fabric. The visual experience emphasizes the tension between organic form and geometric precision. The use of color, predominantly red for buildings and muted blues and greens for water, creates a vibrant contrast that accentuates the city's architectural mass against the fluidity of its aquatic surroundings. The composition is balanced, with Venice centrally positioned. The map's semiotic function is to delineate and categorize space, turning the city into a legible set of signs. Yet, it also destabilizes fixed meanings by presenting Venice as a liminal space—neither entirely land nor sea. This cartographic representation offers a framework for understanding Venice not just as a physical place but as a cultural and philosophical concept. Consider how the map's aesthetic qualities contribute to its communicative power, reflecting ongoing interpretations of Venice's unique identity.