Zittende figuur met een tulband, mogelijk een Javaan met een iket 1898

This sketch of a seated figure, possibly a Javanese man wearing a turban, was made by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner lived in the Dutch East Indies for several years, documenting military life. During this time, the Dutch colonial empire exerted its power, extracting resources and labor from the local population. The sketch offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. Consider how the figure is rendered. With rough, indistinct strokes, Breitner captures the sitter's likeness but perhaps fails to give the sitter a sense of individuality. The man is generalized, his identity somewhat obscured by shadow. What does it mean to represent a person from a culture so different from your own? What biases or assumptions might be at play? While the sketch is a simple study, it opens up questions about representation, power, and the gaze through which we see others. It reminds us of the importance of recognizing the humanity and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their background or origin.