Although many may be fooled by the artistic, romantic design, the map, “Guinea” by Joan Blaeu is no more than an instrument of European interests and discovery. The use of colorful images is distracting; however these are just symbols of exoticism and imperialism directed towards European audiences. The contrast of the colorful images and the names of places and physical geography presented on the map show that the map was intended more to entice other Europeans and encourage the prospect of the western coast of Africa and the mystery of it all.
The colorful images of animals, ships, people and emblems all represent different elements that appeal to Europe of 1662, when the map was created. The animals satisfy the hunger for the bizarre, unusual image that typically is sought when foreign regions are involved. An example of the absurdity of using these creatures to represent Africa is the use of elephants in the area labeled only Malagveta, which is presented in the area now containing Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire. The use of living elephants here is a ridiculous concept because representation of them in a region of Africa that does not hold a remarkable elephant population is impractical. Elephant population is dominant in the south and eastern areas of the continent and thus makes depicting them walking around in the west to be unrealistic, however this map is not prized for its realistic qualities. The reason this is done is to excite the intended audience about the west coast of Africa with the idea of the strange, interesting creatures that reside there. The other reason for showing elephants in this area was to symbolize the ivory trade. The western coast of Africa was and is still called the Ivory Coast. It is known for the trade of elephant tusks and using the image of large elephants and not to mention the elephant tusk handled by two African children at the bottom. The ambitious images of the ships throughout the waters surrounding the coast also show how this map is used as symbol of European imperialism. During the 1600s, all of Europe was going through an economic and political transition. More of the world was being discovered and with that came the European demand for the resources these new places could provide. A strategy developed throughout Europe was to find areas of the world that were deemed inferior and had goods that the people wanted and take over both economically and politically. This map was actually created in the interests of the Dutch East India Company and Joan Blaeu was a supporter of Dutch colonial interests throughout the world as shown through exaggerated size of the trade ships in the map and the other images used. The decorative emblem in the middle at the bottom presenting the word “Gvinea” shows an elaborate gold crest and beautification that signifies European influence. The crest can also be taken to stand for European approval which can also add to the attraction of this area of Africa. The imagery used in this map is incredibly important and shows clearly how Europe viewed this foreign land and saw it as a place to take over and benefit economically from.
The colorful images of animals, ships, people and emblems all represent different elements that appeal to Europe of 1662, when the map was created. The animals satisfy the hunger for the bizarre, unusual image that typically is sought when foreign regions are involved. An example of the absurdity of using these creatures to represent Africa is the use of elephants in the area labeled only Malagveta, which is presented in the area now containing Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire. The use of living elephants here is a ridiculous concept because representation of them in a region of Africa that does not hold a remarkable elephant population is impractical. Elephant population is dominant in the south and eastern areas of the continent and thus makes depicting them walking around in the west to be unrealistic, however this map is not prized for its realistic qualities. The reason this is done is to excite the intended audience about the west coast of Africa with the idea of the strange, interesting creatures that reside there. The other reason for showing elephants in this area was to symbolize the ivory trade. The western coast of Africa was and is still called the Ivory Coast. It is known for the trade of elephant tusks and using the image of large elephants and not to mention the elephant tusk handled by two African children at the bottom. The ambitious images of the ships throughout the waters surrounding the coast also show how this map is used as symbol of European imperialism. During the 1600s, all of Europe was going through an economic and political transition. More of the world was being discovered and with that came the European demand for the resources these new places could provide. A strategy developed throughout Europe was to find areas of the world that were deemed inferior and had goods that the people wanted and take over both economically and politically. This map was actually created in the interests of the Dutch East India Company and Joan Blaeu was a supporter of Dutch colonial interests throughout the world as shown through exaggerated size of the trade ships in the map and the other images used. The decorative emblem in the middle at the bottom presenting the word “Gvinea” shows an elaborate gold crest and beautification that signifies European influence. The crest can also be taken to stand for European approval which can also add to the attraction of this area of Africa. The imagery used in this map is incredibly important and shows clearly how Europe viewed this foreign land and saw it as a place to take over and benefit economically from.
