Columbus betreedt het Amerikaanse vasteland 1790

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, "Columbus betreedt het Amerikaanse vasteland," using etching techniques. The composition is divided into two contrasting scenes, each illustrating different facets of exploration and reception. The left panel presents a stark, linear depiction of Columbus in chains, surrounded by armed figures on what appears to be a ship deck. The figures’ poses, rendered with precise lines, convey a sense of confinement and tension. In contrast, the right panel depicts Captain Cook being honorably received by the King of England. Here, the composition shifts to a more relaxed, interior setting. The use of line creates a scene of courtly exchange. This diptych challenges conventional narratives of discovery, complicating notions of progress. The stark contrast between Columbus's captivity and Cook's regal reception invites us to question whose perspectives dominate historical accounts.