Plattegrond met de nieuwe haven van Duinkerke bij Fort Mardijk, 1714 Possibly 1714 - 1719

Editor: This is a drawing from around 1714 to 1719, attributed to Samuel Du Ry de Champdoré. It's called "Plattegrond met de nieuwe haven van Duinkerke bij Fort Mardijk," a plan of the new harbor of Dunkirk near Fort Mardijk, done with ink on paper. The precision is captivating; I'm immediately drawn to all the little details. What stands out to you when you look at this? Curator: What a wonderfully intricate glimpse into the past! To me, this isn’t just a map; it's a carefully observed performance. It reminds me of an exquisitely choreographed dance— the lines articulate movement and transformation. Can you almost feel the energy and ambition that went into shaping the harbor, the fort, and the landscape around them? And imagine Du Ry de Champdoré carefully rendering each line and label; each stroke is evidence of their presence, their experience of this transformation! Editor: Yes, I can see what you mean. It feels like more than just a record. It almost breathes. But I am curious about something... Are those areas slightly washed in color? Or am I imagining it? Curator: You're right, there are delicate washes of color that amplify the feeling of breath and place, subtly delineating different areas, giving depth, which draws you further into the scene. You are immersed. Editor: It's funny. I'm still drawn in by how orderly it seems. Looking at this makes me want to think more about place making in our world. I mean what does it mean to design our world in a way that lasts, centuries later? Curator: Exactly. That is the incredible legacy of artists and thinkers. It asks questions of us that ripple through time. Editor: It's made me see maps—and cities—in a whole new way! Curator: And it has made me want to try drawing my local neighbourhood, now!