Gedode Bengaalse tijger in Boeloeh-Tjina, Sumatra c. 1890 - 1900

"Gedode Bengaalse tijger in Boeloeh-Tjina, Sumatra" is a photographic print of a dead Bengal tiger, taken around 1890-1900 by Heinrich Ernst & Co. The image, now held in the Rijksmuseum, shows the tiger lying on its side in a clearing. This type of image was popular during the colonial period, reflecting a fascination with exotic wildlife and hunting. The image is likely a hunting trophy, showcasing the success of the hunter and the power of the European colonizers over the natural world. The detail of the tiger's stripes and the surrounding vegetation provides a sense of realism, capturing the raw beauty of the animal in its final moments. The image is a reminder of a bygone era, when hunting and collecting wildlife was commonplace, and it sparks discussion about the changing attitudes towards conservation and the ethics of trophy hunting.