Tondano, dorp op Manado 1821 - 1828

This is a drawing of Tondano, a village in Manado, created by Jannes Theodorus Bik. The subdued palette of blacks, whites and greys gives the image a sense of understated calm. The composition is divided into distinct horizontal layers, with the detailed foreground of water and vegetation giving way to the buildings, foliage and distant mountains. There's a clear tension here between natural and man-made forms as Bik meticulously captures the architecture integrated within the landscape. We may consider this drawing to be more than just a depiction of a place. The detailed linear work acts almost as a form of cartography, mapping not just the physical space but also the cultural and colonial gaze of the artist. This approach challenges the traditional romantic landscape, imbuing it with layers of meaning and a complex interplay of representation and power.