Plattegronden van Gravelines, Bergues, Bourbourg en Mardijk, 1726 1726

This unbound print from 1726 presents four city plans using etching. The layouts of Gravelines, Bergues, Bourbourg, and Mardijk are each framed within squares, creating a grid-like composition. The neutral tones emphasize the intricate lines and geometric forms, evoking a sense of precision. The visual structure of these maps points to a specific way of seeing and understanding space. Each plan is rendered with a focus on fortifications and urban layouts, indicative of strategic and military interests. The geometric shapes of the forts contrast with the more organic rendering of the natural landscape, revealing a tension between human intervention and the natural world. This tension is reinforced by the uniform framing which implies control and order. Through its structured composition and meticulous detail, this print offers not just a geographical representation, but also a commentary on power, control, and the imposition of human order onto the landscape. The act of mapping itself becomes a form of asserting dominance and knowledge.