Kaart van Frankfurt am Main en omgeving, ca. 1693-1696 1693 - 1696

This map of Frankfurt am Main and its surroundings was made around 1693 to 1696 by an anonymous artist. It is an engraving, a printmaking technique with a rich history tied to information, trade, and power. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a copper plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, and then wiped clean, remaining only in the incised lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the inked image. The dense network of lines creating shading and texture gives you a sense of the labor involved in its production. This map wasn't just about geographical accuracy, it was also a statement of civic pride and control. Maps like these served the needs of merchants, landowners, and military strategists. By understanding the materials and processes behind this engraving, we realize that it is much more than just a picture. It is an artifact loaded with social and cultural meaning.