Plattegrond van Leeuwarden c. 1698 - 1704

Curator: Here we have an ink drawing, and what I think is an engraving by an anonymous artist titled, "Plattegrond van Leeuwarden," dating from somewhere around 1698 to 1704. What do you think when you look at it? Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how ordered it feels. I mean, obviously, it's a map, so it’s meant to be representational, but there's this... air of control, you know? Almost like an attempt to impose reason onto the chaos of a growing city. Curator: That makes sense. As a floor plan, it emphasizes the geometric layout and design over everyday experience. The city itself becomes almost abstract, with symbolism reflecting the urban ambitions of the time. The walled structure gives it a sense of importance and defense. Editor: The fortifications definitely speak to that control and the implied need to defend it. The whole city is embraced, held. Makes me wonder about what they were afraid of letting in... or what they wanted to keep out. Curator: That star-shaped fortification, so characteristic of the Baroque era. This period was marked by grand gestures of power, and that geometric precision extends from the military sphere right into city planning. It projects confidence and dominion. Editor: Yes, and the precision with which it’s drawn makes me think of permanence, of wanting to root this order, these values, deep into the land and memory. Curator: The curious thing is, from above like this, we're looking down at this architectural construct, almost like gods—observing and contemplating the civilization that breathes within it. Editor: And the way it’s presented, almost clinical in its detail, reminds me how much power there is in defining a space, naming it, mapping it out. The symbolic implications are layered here, it is both about possession and, subtly, about power. Curator: Absolutely. Even now, our modern GPS reflects that power. Maps aren't just neutral; they're infused with social, political, and even psychological information. It's almost...magical. Editor: Well, seeing how Leeuwarden, viewed from centuries later, makes us think of magic, control, power and a longing to freeze time – pretty much sums it up for me!