Gezicht op Feldkirch c. 1643 - 1690

This is Matthäus Merian's 'View of Feldkirch', an engraving made in the 17th century. The composition uses a bird's-eye perspective that flattens the town of Feldkirch. Linear precision and intricate detail create an almost map-like quality. There is a structural order in the precise arrangements of buildings and natural elements. The lines are sharp, and the textures are suggested through hatching and cross-hatching. Merian was working in a period where cartography and art were closely linked. This view operates semiotically, combining visual representation with symbolic indications of space and power. It is not just a picture but also a structured communication, using spatial arrangement to assert control and knowledge. Notice how the high vantage point flattens depth, turning the town into a collection of signs. This choice emphasizes a worldview that favors order and legibility. As viewers, we are positioned not just as observers but as interpreters of a constructed space.