Titelvignet til et søkort: "Pass Kaart over Kattegatet" 1799

This is J.F. Clemens's "Title Vignette for a Nautical Chart: 'Pass Kaart over Kattegatet'," a drawing of a decorative border for a sea chart, made in the late 18th or early 19th century. The vignette, filled with classical figures, speaks volumes about the cultural values and aspirations of the time. Two female figures stand atop ornate, ship-like structures and frame the image. Below them, a male figure, perhaps Neptune, lounges with a lyre-playing companion amidst marine flora. The drawing is not just a map decoration; it’s a reflection of the Enlightenment era's fascination with classical antiquity. The figures, rendered in delicate lines, evoke a sense of idealized beauty and power. This classical imagery suggests how 18th century Europeans understood themselves in relation to the world, and how intertwined their sense of identity was with maritime exploration. The Danish coat-of-arms at the bottom indicates a sense of national pride and authority. It transforms the map into a symbol of Danish power and knowledge. The vignette is more than cartography; it's a statement about identity, ambition, and the complex relationship between humanity and the sea.