Gezichten op Casablanca, Azemmour, Diu en Goa 1572

Frans Hogenberg created this print, "Views of Casablanca, Azemmour, Diu, and Goa," using engraving around the late 16th century. Notice the prominence of towers and fortified walls in each city view. These are not merely architectural details; they are potent symbols of power and defense. In Azemmour, the towering structures evoke a sense of imposing strength. Similarly, in Goa, the detailed fortifications are indicative of strategic importance and colonial ambition. Consider how such symbols recur throughout history, from the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia to the medieval castles of Europe. These representations resonate with a collective, perhaps subconscious, desire for security and dominance. The act of depicting these cities, viewed through a lens of burgeoning European expansion, also reveals an attempt to visually capture and, in a sense, conquer these distant lands. These images are more than mere geographical records; they are expressions of cultural and psychological forces at play.