Plattegrond van Bilsen, ca. 1701-1715 1705

Editor: This drawing is titled "Plattegrond van Bilsen," dating back to about 1705, attributed to Samuel Du Ry de Champdoré. It's rendered in ink on paper. Looking at this bird's eye view, the town feels isolated, enclosed by formidable walls. What sort of symbolism or meaning do you find embedded within such an image? Curator: Indeed. Maps aren't just about geography, they also reflect the values and anxieties of their time. Enclosure is key here – walls speak of defense, but also restriction. Notice how the town nestles within the man-made barrier, almost seeking protection. What feeling does the contrast between the empty, unlabeled land ‘outside’ and the charted land ‘inside’ convey to you? Editor: I guess the clear distinction implies a safe haven, a civilized world protected against…what exactly? Curator: Exactly! That "what" is often less defined than we think. The wild, the unknown, chaos... perhaps even "the other." These maps create not just physical boundaries but also psychological ones, shaping the identities of those within. Notice anything else about how the ‘outside’ is handled? Editor: It’s just suggested. Loose strokes indicate land, but the walls are precise. It's like only the space *within* truly matters, truly *exists*. Curator: Precisely. And how does that resonate with you? The past created and recorded versus a present of assumptions and speculation? What echoes does the artist leave for us? Editor: I see how it becomes a powerful statement, more about what the community values and chooses to define as important rather than raw geography. Curator: Yes, and in its stark lines and careful omissions, the drawing tells a potent story of control, identity, and perhaps, a certain degree of fear. It's about defining 'us' by defining 'them.' Editor: That's so interesting. I never thought a simple map could be so revealing of cultural anxieties! Curator: Art reveals what societies conceal.