Gezicht op Polizan in Dalmatië, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

This anonymous engraving from around 1702 depicts Polizan in Dalmatia, Croatia, offering insight into the geopolitics of the early 18th century. The image presents a bird's-eye view of a fortified town, a common visual strategy of the era that was used to assert dominion. Consider how the high vantage point and detailed rendering create a sense of control and knowledge, as if the viewer is surveying and possessing the landscape. This reflects the expansionist ambitions and power struggles between empires like the Ottoman and Venetian, each vying for control over territories like Dalmatia. The town's fortifications suggest the ever-present threat of conflict and siege, impacting the social and economic life of the inhabitants. Historical maps, military records, and travel accounts can provide valuable information that sheds light on the role of places like Polizan in the broader political and cultural landscape of the time. Understanding this context allows us to appreciate how seemingly simple depictions of towns can offer complex narratives about power, identity, and the human experience.