Oorspronkelijke Amerikanen bereiden tabak 1622

Moyses van Wtenbrouck created this print, "Oorspronkelijke Amerikanen bereiden tabak," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It depicts the cultivation of tobacco by indigenous Americans, likely based on second-hand accounts. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, presenting an exoticized view of indigenous life. Made during the height of Dutch colonial expansion, the print reflects Europe's fascination with the Americas and the commercial potential of tobacco. The figures are shown semi-nude, reinforcing the European perception of indigenous people as primitive. The detailed depiction of tobacco preparation highlights the economic importance of this commodity to the colonizers. This artwork comments on the social structures of its time by presenting a colonizer's perspective on indigenous culture and labor. To understand it better, we might consult archival materials, such as travel narratives, botanical studies, and company records. These resources would provide insight into the historical context and reveal the complex interplay between art, commerce, and colonialism in the 17th century.