Historische kaart van Nederland met de gebieden van de Bataven en Friezen 1697 - 1725

Gerrit de Broen created this historical map of the Netherlands with the regions of the Batavi and Frisians using engraving. The map is dominated by a network of fine, incised lines that articulate geographical boundaries, rivers, and settlements. These lines, stark against the paper, create a complex visual texture. De Broen uses a semiotic system of signs to denote territories and topographical features, reflecting the historical and cultural codes of cartography. The map is more than a geographical tool, it reflects the power structures of the time, marking out territories and jurisdictions with precision. The neat ordering of space suggests a desire to categorize and control the known world, imbuing the land with layers of political and cultural meaning. This engraving serves as a reminder that maps are not neutral representations, but constructed images that actively shape our understanding of space and identity.