Plattegrond van de stad Goes. 1753

Editor: This is "Plattegrond van de stad Goes," a print, drawing and engraving in ink by an anonymous artist dating back to 1753. Looking at it, I immediately notice the rigid geometry contrasting with the implied fluidity of the waterways. It’s quite detailed. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: What interests me is how seemingly objective documents like this map actually reflect specific power dynamics and cultural values of their time. The sharp delineation between the urban center of Goes and the surrounding natural landscape tells a story about control. The city's fortifications are rendered with a clear intent to represent power, order, and human mastery over the environment. How do you think this map reflects colonial intentions or trade relations of the Dutch Golden Age? Editor: I hadn’t considered that perspective! It's interesting how the act of mapping itself becomes an act of claiming space, literally drawing boundaries. Is that fair to say? Curator: Precisely. Who gets represented, and how, becomes a form of societal and political statement. Notice how meticulously the buildings within the city are rendered, and how the rural areas are rather simplified and perhaps less valued. This map normalizes that hierarchical perspective, it embodies power relations, shaping not only how the city was perceived but also influencing its development and its people. Editor: It’s incredible to realize how much more this artwork says beyond just directions. Thinking about this now, a contemporary artist would maybe render this to show these invisible elements? Curator: Exactly, and hopefully through that shift, disrupt our own notions about space, history, and social hierarchy! Editor: I will certainly look at maps in a completely new light now. Thank you for this enriching insight!