Covchin / Amadabatah / Cranganor / Masvlibata / Paliacatta of Geldria / Aden / Colvmbo / Kanton 1670 - 1672

This print, made by an anonymous artist, presents eight views of trade outposts from around the world. Prints like this circulated widely in the Netherlands and beyond, in a period when Dutch merchants were establishing a global network. Each image encapsulates a complex story of cross-cultural encounters, colonial ambitions, and the relentless pursuit of commercial interests. Note the careful rendering of each location. The artist has chosen to depict scenes that highlight the infrastructure of trade: harbors bustling with ships, fortified outposts, and local populations engaged in commerce. The print is both a celebration of Dutch mercantile power and a subtle assertion of cultural dominance. Yet, as historians, we must not take these images at face value. Archival documents, travelogues, and comparative studies can help us to understand the complex social and institutional contexts that produced them. By doing so, we can reflect on how these images participated in shaping a globalized world.