Map of Western Hemisphere c. 19th century

Curator: This is Eugen Neureuther's "Map of the Western Hemisphere." Editor: It looks like a dream. That faded sepia ink and the ethereal figures—like a half-remembered colonial fantasy. Curator: The allegorical figures framing the map certainly evoke that. They represent a romanticized vision of the Americas that underpinned European colonialism. Editor: Exactly. The map itself, the landmasses, become a symbol laden with power, control, and the projection of European desires. The intense red coloring of South America is especially striking. Curator: Yes, that coloration, coupled with the placement within the circular frame, emphasizes a particular visual narrative, a specific claim to territory and resources. Editor: It prompts us to think about how cartography itself is a form of cultural encoding, a language of authority. I'm left considering the legacy and consequences of these encoded views.