Plattegrond van Cuneo, 1726 1726

This is a 1726 anonymous engraving, depicting a map of Cuneo. It would have been made by incising lines into a copper plate, inking the surface, and then pressing paper against it, thereby transferring the image. The material of the print – paper – is also significant, as it allowed for the relatively inexpensive dissemination of information. Look closely, and you’ll see that the map is intricately detailed. The city’s fortifications, buildings, and even individual trees are rendered with careful precision. This speaks to the skill of the engraver, who would have needed both artistic talent and technical expertise to create such a detailed image. Consider the social context of this print. Maps like these were not just decorative objects; they were tools of power. They allowed rulers to survey their territories, plan military campaigns, and control trade routes. The production of this map, therefore, was part of a wider project of statecraft. It is a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can be deeply embedded in systems of labor, politics, and consumption. By appreciating the material qualities and making processes, we come to a fuller understanding of its cultural significance.