Kaart van Friesland, Vlieland, Terschelling en Ameland 1629 - 1664

This is an undated map of Friesland, Vlieland, Terschelling, and Ameland, made anonymously. In its time, this map offered viewers not just a geographical representation, but also a projection of power and knowledge. Made in the Dutch Republic, the map reflects the economic and political interests of the region, particularly its maritime activities and territorial claims. Cartography was not just about accuracy; it was a tool used by the state and merchant classes to navigate and control their world. Notice the visual codes used: the detailed coastlines for navigation and the strategic placement of place names and boundaries. Research into the period's historical atlases, trade records, and political documents can reveal the map's role in shaping the region's identity and its place in European power dynamics. By examining this map through a social and institutional lens, we can understand the ways in which knowledge, power, and art intersect in the historical record.