Afrikaan die een last op het hoofd draagt c. 1916 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this pencil drawing, "Afrikaan die een last op het hoofd draagt," which translates to "African carrying a burden on his head." During Stolk's time, the Netherlands was reckoning with its colonial past, and a growing awareness of the human cost of imperialism was on the rise. This drawing, although simple in form, reflects this historical tension. The figure's posture, with arms raised as if balancing a weight, speaks volumes about the physical and emotional toll of labor and oppression. The title itself directly references the burden carried, not just physically, but also metaphorically, by African people. The use of minimal lines creates a sense of vulnerability and emphasizes the weight of their burden. It serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between the Netherlands and its colonial history, and prompts us to consider the legacy of that history in contemporary society. It reflects the emotional and personal weight of a painful past.