Woord vooraf aan de lezer van prentwerk: Les Forces de l'Europe, Asie, Afrique et Amerique, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

Printed around 1702 by Pieter Mortier, this page serves as a preface to a collection of prints titled "Les Forces de l'Europe, Asie, Afrique et Amerique." It’s a textual guide, offering readers an overview of the prints included in the collection. Reflecting the period's Eurocentric worldview, the title suggests a comprehensive mapping of power across continents, yet it's clear that Europe is at the center, looking out at the rest. The inclusion of Asia, Africa, and America points to the burgeoning colonial interests and the projection of European power onto other parts of the globe. The emotional undercurrent here is one of ambition, of cataloging and, by extension, claiming knowledge and control. It invites us to reflect on how Europe defined itself in relation to the rest of the world, and the narratives of dominance that were being constructed through cartography and visual representation.