Africa c. 1588 - 1589

Curator: Adriaen Collaert's "Africa," a striking engraving, presents a symbolic representation of the continent. Editor: It's a wild composition! She sits astride a crocodile, draped, while the backdrop teems with wildlife. An odd mix of power and vulnerability. Curator: These allegorical prints, popular in the 16th century, weren't about accurate depiction. Collaert's "Africa" speaks to European ideas about the continent. Editor: Right, it's a projection. The details—the pyramids, the exotic animals—construct a narrative that reinforced Eurocentric views. I can almost hear the whispers of "exoticism". Curator: Precisely. The figure embodies both fertility and submission, reflecting the complex relationship between Europe and the "Dark Continent". Editor: Ultimately, it's a gorgeous piece, though its inherent biases are hard to ignore. It’s fascinating, as an artefact of its time. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us to critically examine the lens through which we view other cultures, past and present.