Globe geflankeerd door allegorische figuren 1670

This print of a globe flanked by allegorical figures was made by Gerard de Lairesse in the Netherlands sometime between 1641 and 1711. The globe and surrounding figures represent a vision of the world filtered through the lens of Dutch power and knowledge. We can see this in the central figure of the globe itself, a symbol of exploration, trade, and colonial ambition during the Dutch Golden Age. The allegorical figures – a learned man taking notes, a cherubic putto, and a classically draped woman – represent the knowledge and divine favor believed to underpin Dutch global dominance. The coat-of-arms above the globe explicitly connects the Dutch aristocracy to the success of its global trade networks. This image is a potent reminder that what we understand as objective knowledge is often intertwined with the social and political agendas of its time. By examining archival documents – company records, maps, and travelogues – we can unpack the complex history embedded in this seemingly straightforward image.