donderdag 27 februari 2014

City of clay

I am working on a large scale model of the city of Delft, based on the 1649 map made by Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu, for Museum Het Prinsenhof in Delft.
The ca. 3 x 2 meter scale model is made in ceramics covered with a layer of Engobe, to give it a unfired clay-feel.
The idea of Delft as a city of clay is based on the fact that Delft in the early 17th century was becoming a city of potters who were starting to develop Delftware inspired by Chinese blue and white porcelain.
The scale model will be presented in the museum within a few months. At this moment Museum Het Prinsenhof is totally renewing its semi-permanent exhibitions.

More information about cartographer Joan Blaeu:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Blaeu

And the 1649 map of Delft:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delft_-_Delfi_Batavorum_vernacule_Delft_(1649).jpg

Museum Het prinsenhof
http://www.prinsenhof-delft.nl/