Vermeer's Hat

Samuel Champlain, a French navigator and cartographer, helped establish trade alliances with Indigenous peoples in North America. His diplomatic efforts, particularly with the Algonquin and other tribes, highlight the delicate balance of trade, alliances, and conflict during the early days of European colonization. Champlain’s actions also led to the decimation of certain Indigenous populations, such as the Mohawk, underscoring the devastating impact of European expansion on the Americas.

Antoine van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch polymath and likely the subject of Vermeer’s painting The Geographer, symbolizes the era’s emphasis on scientific inquiry and global exploration. His contributions to cartography reflect humanity’s drive to better understand the world in the 17th century. The globe depicted in The Geographer is a centerpiece of Brook’s analysis about the role accurate maps and precise tools played in enabling global trade and navigation.

Hendrick Hondius, the Dutch cartographer who created the globe featured in The Geographer, represents the collaboration required to advance geographic knowledge during the 17th century. His request for updates and corrections on his work highlights the iterative nature of cartography and the importance of accurate maps.

The Huron and Iroquois tribes were deeply affected by European colonization and the resulting trade networks. Their alliances and conflicts with European powers like the French reflect the cultural and economic upheavals experienced by Indigenous peoples, especially in the Americas. The near-destruction of the Huron people due to disease and displacement is one stark example of how European expansion devastated Indigenous populations.

Lu Zhaolong was a Chinese advisor who resisted European influence in China. He advocated for self-reliance and warned against allowing Europeans to gain footholds in China under the guise of trade or military assistance.

Hugo Grotius was a Dutch lawyer-philosopher who played a key role in the development of international law. He defended Dutch privateering against Spanish and Portuguese ships as justified retaliation—which helped paved the way for the establishment of principles like freedom of trade.

Jan Janszoon Weltevree was a Dutch sailor who lived in Korea for 39 years after his ship wrecked there. His story exemplifies the involuntary movement of people during the 17th century and highlights how individuals adapted to new environments, resulting cultural exchange and expanding the narrative of global interconnectedness.

Soliman, the ruler of Manila during the Spanish conquest, represents the violence involved in the establishment of global trade hubs. His assassination and the subsequent Spanish colonization of Manila highlight how European powers used brutality to assert control and secure trade routes in strategic locations.