Tijgerjacht c. 1675 - 1755

Adrianus Canter Visscher captured this tiger hunt in a painting on paper, reflecting the complex dynamics of power and representation in colonial contexts. The painting depicts a hunting scene, a popular subject in art that often symbolizes dominion over nature and, by extension, over colonized lands. Here we see figures on horseback and atop an elephant, engaged in the act of hunting, which can be read as a metaphor for colonial control and exploitation. The cultural context of tiger hunts under colonial rule often involved local populations being employed or coerced into participating, highlighting the intersection of class and race within these power dynamics. How might this image reflect or challenge the narratives of dominance and resistance that characterized the colonial era? Does the depiction of the hunt celebrate colonial power, or does it reveal underlying tensions and inequalities? Consider the personal and collective histories embedded in this image, and how it resonates with contemporary discussions about environmental justice and cultural heritage.