Tekstblad over Vlaardingen te Makassar 1824

This is a printed text page regarding Vlaardingen in Makassar, made by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard. This artwork is essentially a colonial document, capturing impressions of Celebes, now known as Sulawesi, Indonesia. The text reveals a mix of observations, from the lives of the local "Indians" to monuments of English officers, who died in battle. Jobard’s description of local culture is framed by his European perspective, reflecting the power dynamics inherent in colonial encounters. The mention of the ship S.M. l’Evertzen hints at Dutch naval presence and its role in the region. The narrative constructs a sense of the exotic and the foreign but also highlights the colonial powers asserting their presence. It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told, and whose are omitted, in the grand narratives of history.