Tot slaaf gemaakte jongen met kameel 1649

This etching of a enslaved boy with a camel was created by Stefano della Bella sometime in the 17th century. During this time, the Transatlantic slave trade was at its peak, with enslaved Africans being trafficked across the Atlantic to the Americas. This context is vital to understanding della Bella's work, which captures a racialized power dynamic. Here, the artist depicts an enslaved boy alongside a camel, both figures burdened, and both rendered as property. The boy’s gaze is averted, his posture suggesting resignation. The image provides insight into the era’s perception and treatment of enslaved peoples. It serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of slavery, inviting us to reflect on the legacy of these historical injustices. Though small in scale, the work carries a heavy weight of history, reflecting enduring issues of race, exploitation, and human dignity.