Kort over Rufach 1548

Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch created this map of Rufach at an unknown date using engraving. As you look at this meticulously detailed bird’s-eye view, consider the socio-political context of the mid-16th century in which it was created. Maps like these were more than geographical tools; they were assertions of power. In a time of religious conflict and emerging statehood, a detailed depiction of a town could serve military, administrative, and symbolic purposes. The level of detail suggests a need to document and control space, which could reflect the desire to solidify territorial claims. The positioning of the town within a landscape with emphasis on the built environment might evoke a sense of pride, and of place. The map invites us to consider the relationship between representation, power, and identity. It’s a document of a specific time, reflecting how people saw themselves in relation to their environment and to each other.