Kaart van Midden- en Noord-Amerika 1669 - 1733

This map of North and Central America was printed anonymously, using the intaglio technique of engraving. This labor-intensive process involves incising an image into a metal plate, applying ink to the recesses, and then transferring the image to paper under high pressure. Consider how the engraver's skill is evident in the fine lines and intricate details, which have imbued this map with both scientific value and artistic merit. The engraver would have used specialized tools to meticulously carve the design, displaying knowledge of cartography, geography, and artistic composition. This image speaks to the skilled traditions involved in mapmaking, which has long been tied to wider social issues of exploration, politics, and consumption. By focusing on the materials, making, and context of this map, we can appreciate its full significance, which challenges the distinction between craft, science, and art.