De provincie Gelderland. 372,000 inwoners 1850 - 1881

This print by Dirk Noothoven van Goor presents a cartographic and scenic overview of the Gelderland province using monochrome relief printmaking. Its layout, a structured array of images and text, organizes geographical data and picturesque locales into a unified visual field. The schematic map at the upper left anchors the composition, detailing the province's boundaries and key locations. Adjacent to it, vignettes showcase notable sites like Arnhem and Het Belvedère, rendered with careful attention to tonal variations and textures to evoke their distinctive atmospheres. These scenes, although representational, are also exercises in the arrangement of light and shadow, using a limited palette to convey depth and form. Consider how the formal elements of line, texture, and spatial arrangement construct meaning, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between cartographic precision and aesthetic appreciation. It's a reminder that representation is not merely imitation, but also a system of signs that informs our understanding.