Plattegrond van Mainz, 1693 1693

This is an anonymous print from 1693, showing a map of Mainz. At this time, the city held strategic importance in European conflicts, especially the Nine Years' War. The print meticulously details Mainz’s fortifications. The visual codes here are designed to communicate military strength and strategic planning. Note how the map emphasizes the city’s defenses, reflecting the anxieties and priorities of a society frequently at war. Historical archives and military records could shed light on Mainz’s role during this period. What was the social impact of constant military preparation? How did these structures affect the daily lives of the inhabitants? Such questions enable us to see how art serves as a record of human activity, shaped by the social and institutional contexts of its time.