Gezicht op Venetië in vogelvluchtperspectief Possibly 1639 - 1717

This bird’s-eye view of Venice was made in the Netherlands at an unknown date by an anonymous artist. It presents the city as a bustling hub of maritime commerce, its waterways teeming with ships, and a high level of detail to create a vivid sense of place. This image comes out of a tradition of Dutch Golden Age mapmaking where the cartographer was not simply documenting geographical features, but also making a statement about the power and reach of the city depicted. Venice, at this time, was a major European power with a global trading network. The detailed rendering emphasizes the city’s wealth, stability and strategic importance. Note the inclusion of the Venetian coat of arms which further reinforces the image of Venice as a proud and powerful republic. Understanding this image involves exploring the history of cartography as a tool of state power. By examining maps, trade records, and other historical documents, we can learn more about the social, political, and economic forces that shaped both Venice and the image we see here.