Bewoners van Zuid-Afrika (Houzouana) 1806

Ludwig Portman produced this print depicting people of South Africa, titled "Bewoners van Zuid-Afrika (Houzouana)", likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. Its creation speaks to a moment of increasing European interest in documenting the wider world. The image presents us with what was then understood to be an anthropological record. Visual codes, like minimal clothing and "primitive" weaponry, contribute to the construction of racial difference through imagery. The backdrop, with its suggestion of a "savage" landscape, is another important element. This print doesn't just present an image, it actively participates in the social and political dynamic between Europe and the rest of the world, especially in the context of colonial expansion and the birth of scientific racism. To fully grasp this artwork, we can delve into travel literature, colonial archives, and anthropological studies from that era. This research will shed light on the relationship between art and the construction of knowledge during a period of intense global transformation.