Paradijs en een kaart van Azië 1590 - 1679

This anonymous print combines an image of Paradise with a map of Asia. The connection between the two is crucial to understanding its context. During this period, cartography was not just a science but a cultural project, deeply intertwined with religious and colonial ideologies. The depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden is juxtaposed with a detailed map, suggesting that Asia, or at least part of it, is the original location of the biblical Eden. This merging of religious narrative and geographic representation reflects a worldview where biblical stories were seen as literal history, with maps serving to locate these events in a real, explorable world. What this says about the image is that the creation story is part of the real world. The inclusion of Asia also speaks to the burgeoning European interest in and exploration of the East, a region seen as both exotic and integral to Christian history. Emotionally and personally, the print invites viewers to consider their place within this world, both geographically and spiritually. This artwork not only visualizes a historical narrative, but also implicates how people understand and interact with their world.