Een zittende Creool before 1839

This small, three-dimensional paper sculpture titled “Een zittende Creool” (A Sitting Creole) was created by Gerrit Schouten, a Dutch artist who was active in the early 19th century. The sculpture portrays a seated Black man, clothed in a red patterned robe and a plaid skirt, highlighting the diverse cultural influences present in Dutch colonial society. Schouten, known for his detailed and lifelike depictions of people, captured the individual’s presence through the sculpture’s expressive facial features and relaxed posture. The work exemplifies a genre of miniature, paper figures, often crafted to represent social groups or historical figures.