Cologne and Deutz 1635

This is Wenceslaus Hollar’s print, Cologne and Deutz. It uses etching to represent the city in precise detail. The composition is neatly divided, with the bird's eye view of Cologne above and Deutz, fortified, across the Rhine, below. The formal structure gives us a sense of order and control. The meticulous lines delineate buildings, streets, and fortifications. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a tonal range that provides depth, yet it also creates a flat, diagrammatic view. It's as if the map is trying to be both informative and artistic. The visual order and clarity serve a purpose beyond mere representation. This print is a statement about power, knowledge, and the control over urban space. It is also an early form of data visualization. The act of mapping is inherently an act of claiming territory, both physically and intellectually. Hollar presents us not just with a city, but with a vision of a city tamed and understood through the logic of representation.