Dieren en insecten 1806 - 1830

This print of animals and insects was created by Johan Noman, likely in the Netherlands, sometime before his death in 1833. Images like this were often produced as educational tools, reflecting an Enlightenment interest in categorizing the natural world. Note how the animals are neatly arranged in rows and accompanied by descriptive text. But consider how the act of representing these creatures also involves a kind of cultural framing. The artist's choices about which animals to include and how to depict them were shaped by European attitudes towards the non-European world. These images reinforced existing social hierarchies and power relations. Further research into the educational materials and popular imagery of the period can shed light on the cultural assumptions that underpinned them. By examining these images critically, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped their production and reception.