Oorspronkelijke Amerikanen bereiden ‘caldo’ uit tabaksbladeren 1622

Moyses van Wtenbrouck created this etching, ‘Original Americans Preparing ‘Caldo’ from Tobacco Leaves,’ sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The composition is balanced between areas of dense activity and open space, guiding the viewer's eye through a series of actions related to tobacco preparation. The artist's use of line and shadow constructs a scene that seems both documentary and idealized. Notice how each figure is rendered with careful attention to the details of their work. Yet their poses and the overall arrangement also carry a sense of staged observation. Wtenbrouck’s approach reflects a European gaze, framing indigenous practices within a visual language familiar to his audience. The structure and placement of elements, like the press and cooking pots, are meticulously captured, providing insight into the technology of the period. The way Wtenbrouck presents the scene offers a complex view of cultural exchange and representation, highlighting how European artists of the time mediated their encounters with the ‘New World’ through the formal devices of their artistic training.