Spotprent met zwarte man op brancard 1870 - 1890

This print was made by Willem Steelink II. Here, we are confronted with a scene laden with symbolism; note the figure of a black man reclining on a stretcher, set against a backdrop of frenzied activity. This juxtaposition immediately signals a dissonance, inviting us to consider the historical implications. The black man may represent colonial subjects in need of protection or assistance, the stretcher suggesting vulnerability and dependence. The image evokes a sense of the "Other," a concept deeply embedded in the Western psyche, going back to antiquity. Consider the long tradition of representing non-European peoples in art. The stretcher here becomes a stage. The recurring presence of such imagery serves as a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols to shape our understanding of ourselves and others. Symbols, like memories, are not static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying with them echoes of the past.