Gezicht op Fort Sint George te Ghana in de Portugese periode 1668 - 1670

This is an anonymous etching of Fort Saint George in Ghana, made at an unknown date. The print depicts the fort during the period of Portuguese control, prior to Dutch occupation in the 17th century. It’s a stark reminder of the early days of European colonial expansion into Africa and the commencement of the transatlantic slave trade. The castle, initially built for trade, quickly became a central point in the buying and selling of human beings. The image, rendered in meticulous detail, gives us a window into the ambitions and operations of colonial powers. Look at the ships dominating the foreground: they speak to the control and the power that Portugal exerted over this coastal region. Consider the emotional weight of this place. A place where lives were commodified and freedom was systematically denied. This print is not just a historical record; it's an artifact that forces us to confront the legacies of colonialism and slavery.