Kaart van het graafschap Holland c. 1690

Gilliam van der Gouwen produced this map of Holland, an engraving, sometime before his death in 1740. The composition is striking, divided between the geometrical precision of the landmasses and the elaborate, allegorical cartouche floating above. Delicate lines define regions and waterways, while soft colors differentiate territories. We can think of this map as a semiotic system where each element functions as a sign, contributing to the overall narrative. Van der Gouwen’s Holland is not just a geographical space, but also a political and cultural entity. The decorative elements, such as the cherubic figures, serve as cultural codes, enhancing Holland’s status. The very act of mapping involves choices. What to include, what to emphasize, what to omit? The mapmaker creates a particular vision, a specific representation of power and knowledge. This map challenges the notion of a fixed, objective reality, revealing how the construction of space is itself a form of cultural and political expression.