Landschap met Indiërs 1731 - 1732

Curator: This engraving, titled "Landschap met Indiërs," or "Landscape with Indians," was created by Jan Caspar Philips around 1731-1732. It's currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. My first thought is that it looks so composed. Very posed and still. Editor: The scene is indeed carefully constructed. Philips clearly worked with the conventions of both landscape and what was understood of ethnographic representation at the time. The print medium itself would have allowed for wider dissemination and consumption of such images and narratives. What’s most striking to me is the combination of realistic detail with what feels like a very romanticized view. Look at the detailed rendering of clothing next to the somewhat idealized portrayal of the figures themselves, then observe how all the characters in the print focus their gaze on the opened map. Curator: Yes, a strange blend! There's a definite story being told, or at least implied, even if it seems a little… stiff? The composition is layered, almost theatrical, and perhaps not true to the real scenario, from my understanding of the Dutch East India company. Editor: I agree. And note that the block in the lower front lists a publisher. These images were commercial objects, part of a system where "exotic" locales and people became commodities to be bought and sold. The technical skill involved in creating the engraving also shouldn't be overlooked. Curator: A form of currency indeed! Considering its commercial nature changes my impression again. Now, knowing this was meant for consumption and sale makes me want to explore further what purpose these types of landscapes served at that time. It definitely was not simply to depict the environment in a “realistic” manner. The artist wanted to tell more of a story and create something pleasing, digestible to the viewer's eyes. Editor: Precisely. The blend of observation, imagination, and market forces makes for a very complex and revealing image. Curator: Thank you for helping me think more critically and contextually about this engraving. Editor: A pleasure! Analyzing this further I wonder about the skill and labor put into these forms, the relationship of production that formed in these pieces! Fascinating to observe!