Nombre D. Dios / La Verra Crvs / Trugillo / Hauana Portus / Panama / S. Marta / Campetie / S. Domingo 1670 - 1672

This anonymous print presents a series of eight vignettes, each a carefully framed view of significant ports and cities. The composition is structured as a grid, emphasizing order and control, reflecting the period’s impulse to catalogue and contain the world. The delicate lines and detailed rendering, achieved through engraving, depict bustling harbors and fortified settlements. The scenes are framed by decorative borders, underscoring the constructed nature of these images. Each view operates as a sign, communicating not just geographical data but also conveying a sense of European power and presence in these territories. The prominence of ships in each panel reinforces the narrative of exploration and trade. Consider the act of representation itself here; how does the artist select, frame, and present these scenes? The emphasis on spatial organization and controlled perspective suggests a desire to understand and dominate these distant lands. Ultimately, this print functions as a visual archive, embodying the era's complex interplay between exploration, knowledge, and power.