Plattegrond van Batavia 1779 - 1785

Jan Brandes created this map of Batavia using pen and ink. The city is laid out with geometric precision; the straight lines forming a grid-like pattern that defines the streets and canals. The cool grey ink lends a detached, almost clinical feel. This contrasts sharply with the human narrative of colonial urban planning. The rigid organization of space speaks to the Enlightenment's fascination with order. But if we examine this through a semiotic lens, it reveals an underlying structure of power and control. The map, like the city, is segmented and categorized, reducing lived experience to abstract forms. This is not just a guide but a statement. Note the stark contrast between the defined urban area and the surrounding gardens. This division isn't just spatial, but also ideological. It sets up a visual hierarchy where nature is secondary to human design. This map functions as both a representation and an assertion of dominance.