De vliegende koffer 1876 - 1900

Albert Quantin created this print called 'The Flying Suitcase', at an unknown date. This Dutch-captioned print shows the tale of a young man who travels the world in a flying suitcase. In each vignette, we see different landscapes, people, and customs. Consider how the artist's style and the subject matter were shaped by the cultural context of the late 19th century. During this time, European countries were expanding their empires through colonization. Travel became easier due to new technologies like trains and steamships. This print reflects the era's fascination with faraway lands and the desire to explore and understand the wider world. However, it is important to consider whether the imagery relies on stereotypes and whether it reflects an orientalist point of view. By studying the material culture of the 19th century we can discover how the social and political context shaped the way people understood different cultures.