Robinson Crusoe c. 1822 - 1849

Editor: This is "Robinson Crusoe," made sometime between 1822 and 1849 by Jan de Lange II. It's at the Rijksmuseum now. I'm struck by how it reads like a comic strip, almost a proto-graphic novel, chronicling moments from the story in these small vignettes. What symbols jump out at you in this piece? Curator: Well, consider the very image of Crusoe himself. Isolated, initially naked then clad in skins, he embodies the European conception of the 'noble savage' confronted with nature. His changing costume signifies cultural and psychological transformation as the castaway remakes himself. Editor: Interesting. So, even his clothing is a symbol? Curator: Precisely. Each object—his hat made of leaves, the axe, even the small parrot he shelters—speak volumes. These weren't just tools or companions; they are cultural trophies of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Editor: What about the palm trees? They appear in nearly every panel. Curator: The palm trees and island setting stand for exoticism and unknown potential, but also danger. What does the shipwreck on the horizon suggest? Editor: A constant reminder of his former life and civilization lost? Curator: More than that: a challenge to rebuild it. Think about Crusoe planting seeds, building shelter. He reconstructs society from the ground up. Each small scene encapsulates this process of adapting and overcoming. Editor: It’s incredible how much narrative weight these little scenes hold! I see that there's so much going on that I had previously missed when considering cultural background. Curator: Indeed, even the composition directs the narrative – panel to panel – mimicking not just Crusoe's physical journey, but a journey of symbolic reclamation and psychological strength.