Plattegrond van Siena (deel rechtsonder) after 1597

This anonymous print offers a detailed bird’s-eye view of Siena, capturing the city's fortifications and landmarks. Dominating the urban landscape is the cathedral, its towering presence reminiscent of the ancient obelisks of Egypt, symbols of power that pierce the sky. Notice how the fortifications, with their geometric precision, contrast with the organic layout of the city. These walls, meant to protect, also become symbols of division, a visual echo of the psychological barriers we erect around ourselves. We see echoes of Roman military strategy, a physical manifestation of mankind's need for control. The map below, like a medieval "mappa mundi", invites the viewer to expand their mental and spatial horizons. These are not simply documents but tools to orient ourselves, both geographically and psychologically, within the world. They echo the constant human quest to map and understand our existence. The image thus presents a complex interplay of power, protection, and exploration, a microcosm of the human condition.