De olivant / gebruikd voor de olivantejagd 1829 - 1880

This undated print by Firma Joseph Scholz depicts an elephant used for hunting, reflecting European colonial encounters in Asia. The image visualizes power dynamics through cultural references. Two armed European figures sit atop the elephant, dressed in military-style attire, symbolizing colonial authority and control over resources. In contrast, the partially clothed mahout represents indigenous labor and subjugation. The elephant, adorned with an elaborate saddle, becomes a tool of colonial expansion, its strength and intelligence exploited for hunting expeditions. Prints like these served to inform and shape European perceptions of colonized lands and peoples. Through careful research into colonial archives, travel accounts, and material culture, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, empire, and the construction of cultural identities during this period. Ultimately, this print reminds us that art is never neutral; it is always a product of specific social and institutional forces.