Kaart van de Slaperdijk (derde deel) 1705

Editor: Today we're looking at "Kaart van de Slaperdijk (derde deel)," a 1705 engraving by Caspar Specht, housed in the Rijksmuseum. It’s incredibly detailed; almost like an early satellite image. I’m curious about what the map represents and its purpose. How do you interpret this work within its historical context? Curator: What I see is not just a representation of land, but also a document deeply embedded in power structures and social realities of the time. Consider the baroque style, the precision of the engraving - it's asserting control, isn't it? Who was this map for, and what did it allow them to do? Was it about resource management? Claiming territory? Perhaps enforcing social hierarchies? Editor: So, you’re saying the map isn't neutral; it's making an argument about power and control. The geometric shapes, neatly organized, suggest a very structured, almost enforced landscape. Curator: Exactly! Think about the communities living in this depicted area. Were they involved in its creation? Did the map serve their interests, or the interests of landowners, merchants, or military strategists? Consider that acts of cartography during this period enabled colonial projects worldwide, disrupting pre-existing systems of land use and possession. Do you see any markers or symbology within the rendering that might lend support to such claims? Editor: The compass in the corner and detailed depictions of buildings… I hadn’t considered the colonial aspect to local maps before. I initially saw this as beautiful piece, but your questions regarding its historic context made me realize the map tells so much more about that period! Curator: Maps can be beautiful objects. However, understanding their social dimensions will help us consider them through a different lens.