Gezicht op Krakau,1726 1726

This is an etching titled ‘Gezicht op Krakau’, or View of Krakow, created in 1726 by an anonymous artist. The vantage point offers a panoramic view of Krakow, then the capital of Poland, embedded with the aesthetic and political values of its time. The composition is divided, with the city skyline dominating the background, while in the foreground, we see figures who appear to be merchants or travelers with pack animals and weapons. What does it mean to view a city through the lens of commerce and defense? What might have been omitted? Consider the city's layered history: a former seat of royalty, a center for trade and culture, and a site marked by division and conflict. As you consider the artist's perspective, think about whose stories are being told and whose are absent. This image serves as a reminder of how identity and history are interwoven, and of the importance of looking critically at the narratives that are presented to us.