Plattegrond van Venlo, ca. 1701-1715 1701 - 1715

This is a plan of Venlo, made around 1701-1715 by Samuel Du Ry de Champdoré, rendered in ink and watercolour. Notice the stark geometric shapes dominating the composition. The elaborate star-shaped fortifications immediately catch the eye, their precise angles and repetitive forms creating a sense of imposing order. This map is more than a geographical tool, it embodies the period’s preoccupation with rational design. The fortifications, rendered with such meticulous detail, reflect the influence of military engineering and the era’s emphasis on strategic planning. The clean lines and calculated arrangement speak to a worldview that sought to impose structure onto both the physical and political landscape. Consider how the map's visual language – its structured layout and precise execution – serves not just to represent space, but also to assert a particular vision of control and power. It’s a fascinating interplay between representation, ideology, and the formal elements of design.