Reproductie van een landkaart van de omgeving van Sumatra before 1895

This reproduction of a map of Sumatra was made by Michel Berthaud, likely using a printing technique such as etching or engraving. Notice the intricate network of lines used to depict the landscape – rivers, coastlines, and mountain ranges are all carefully delineated. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image, the skill needed to transfer the drawing onto a printing plate. Sumatra itself was a place of intense colonial activity, so the production of this map reflects a desire to chart, control, and exploit the land. But it also represents a transfer of knowledge, in which local understanding was filtered through the lens of European cartography. The map can be appreciated not only for its artistry, but also as a material record of social and political forces at play. Paying attention to its making allows us to understand its historical significance, and its role in shaping perceptions of Sumatra.