Navigation c. 1590 - 1596

Editor: This is a metal drawing compass, "Navigation," from around 1590-1596, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It has this muted, metallic tone and feels incredibly utilitarian. How do you interpret its significance as an object from the late Renaissance? Curator: Well, this wasn't just any tool. It embodies a significant shift in power and knowledge during the late Renaissance. The compass is an instrument of measurement, of mapping, of control. Its creation and use are directly linked to exploration and colonialism. Editor: Colonialism? How so? Curator: Think about it: accurate navigation was essential for European powers to expand their empires, to map and claim new territories. This compass, therefore, isn't just a geometric instrument, it's a symbol of the era's ambition and dominance and the violence that went hand in hand with claiming resources from other countries.. How might its stark simplicity further underscore that message? Editor: I guess that its simple form communicates the clarity of intent of Renaissance sailors. Did other cultures use these at the time, or was it mostly Europeans? Curator: Other cultures certainly possessed and developed sophisticated navigational tools. The astrolabe, for example, had a long history in Islamic science. However, it was the European combination of these instruments with new ship designs and aggressive colonial policies that enabled their global expansion, often suppressing or appropriating the knowledge of other cultures in the process. Editor: So, the compass represents a complex relationship between exploration, scientific advancement, and, essentially, the exploitation of other nations. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly. By engaging with the object's historical context, we unveil the less visible, often uncomfortable truths behind its creation and use. Editor: That makes you think twice about a simple compass, doesn’t it? It makes it less of a geometrical tool, and more of a statement about history. Curator: I concur. This navigational tool becomes a poignant object of exploration into our own role in this history.