Twee giraffen c. 1904 - 1906

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created "Two Giraffes" using graphite on paper. Dijsselhof came of age during the Dutch colonial era. The giraffe, an exotic animal from colonized lands, became a symbol of both the natural world and imperial power. At the time the work was made, representations of animals like giraffes were popular. These depictions played into the public's fascination with the exotic and the unknown, which was often filtered through a lens of colonial dominance. How might seeing these giraffes, presented in simple lines, challenge or uphold those views? The emotional effect of this piece is subtle. It invites us to consider the relationship between humans and the natural world, and the impact of our historical relationship on the animal kingdom. Dijsselhof’s sketch prompts reflection on how we perceive and interact with the world around us.