Gezicht op Genua in vogelvluchtperspectief Possibly 1600 - 1717

Curator: Here we have an anonymous print from possibly between 1600 and 1717, held here at the Rijksmuseum. It's entitled "Gezicht op Genua in vogelvluchtperspectief," which translates to "View of Genoa in Bird's-Eye Perspective," rendered in watercolor. Editor: The immediate impression is of power, almost… theatricality. This isn't just a map; it’s a statement of Genoese importance. Curator: Absolutely. These cityscapes were often commissioned by the ruling class or wealthy merchants to project authority and civic pride. What symbols or visual cues convey that sense of power to you? Editor: The prominence of the city's emblem, for one, almost floating above the scene, signals authority. And then, of course, the carefully rendered ships – emblems of trade and naval strength – crisscrossing the harbor. Even the fortified walls climbing the hills echo protection, dominance, order. Curator: You're drawing attention to the key icons in this period, how cities sought to present themselves and legitimize authority through such views, which connects to period concepts of power but what does it say about the cultural milieu of gender? Editor: Genoa was, and still is to some extent, intensely masculine. The ships, the fortifications, are extensions of that dominance and militarization, speaking to who had control in a time before social concerns around equality became part of mainstream thinking. And look how small human figures are, subjugated. The print promotes the idea of masculine-centered spaces – commercial, martial, imperial – pushing aside individual stories of struggle and inequality. Curator: I notice how the artist captures a city in transition with early modern sensibilities and style. There's almost a baroque impulse in the theatricality of the piece despite the relative quiet palette. The city itself seems to teeter on the water's edge almost overwhelmed by the sublime water itself. It makes me consider human insignificance again. Editor: Perhaps it also conveys human triumph? We have taken this piece of earth and made something of significance! So, while the artist’s intentions may never be fully understood, it’s undeniable that visual cues have always carried weighty meaning, speaking volumes to cultural identities, as they continue to impact our understanding of past worlds. Curator: I find this piece valuable not just for its cartographic precision, but for prompting us to explore the complexities of representation and power during a fascinating historical period.