Vogelen 1850 - 1881

This print titled 'Vogelen' or 'Birds' in English, was created by D. Noothoven van Goor in Leiden. It provides a glimpse into how Europeans understood and depicted the natural world during a time of increased colonial expansion. The series of vignettes illustrates various bird species, each accompanied by descriptive text. What's striking is not just the attempt to categorize and document these birds, but also the implied power dynamic, in which the European gaze defines and frames the narrative around these creatures from distant lands. Consider the emotional distance inherent in viewing these animals as specimens, divorced from their ecological and cultural contexts. There's a certain coldness in this scientific observation, a detachment that reflects the broader colonial project of extraction and control. Are these depictions respectful, or do they reduce living beings to mere objects of study and possession? 'Vogelen' presents a window into a past where the pursuit of knowledge was intertwined with the assertion of dominance, prompting us to reflect on the ethics of representation and the legacy of colonialism in shaping our understanding of the world.