Plattegrond van Saint-Omer, 1710 1710

Jacobus Harrewijn created this print of Saint-Omer in 1710 using engraving, a painstaking process of cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The character of this map is defined by labor. First, by the labor required to build the fortifications, canals, and other features documented here. Then, by the labor of the draftsman who originally surveyed the landscape, and the engraver, Harrewijn, who translated it into reproducible form. The very intricacy of the lines, particularly those defining the architecture, demonstrate skilled handwork. The effect is technical, certainly, but also beautiful. Consider the social context. This was an era of constant territorial disputes, and maps were essential tools of power. Their accuracy was vital, but so too was their capacity to impress. The profusion of fine lines is almost a form of propaganda, communicating the might and sophistication of Saint-Omer. Ultimately, the convergence of craft, information, and strategic purpose demonstrates the significance of labor in shaping our understanding of the world.