Plattegrond van Nice, ca. 1693-1695 1693 - 1695

This is an anonymous engraving, circa 1693 to 1695, depicting a map of Nice. The composition, rendered in precise lines, offers a bird's-eye view, abstracting the city into a structured arrangement of forms. The stark contrast between the built environment and natural features highlights a tension between order and organic growth. Notice how the geometric shapes of the fortifications and urban blocks contrast with the undulating lines representing the landscape. The artist employs a semiotic system here, where lines and shapes function as signs, communicating strategic information about the city's layout and defenses. The map challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to consider how space is perceived and controlled. This artwork doesn't merely represent a place; it embodies power structures through its calculated representation. The visual organization invites us to reflect on how cartography can reflect both aesthetic and ideological concerns.