En lama 1843

Curator: This is "En lama," a woodcut from 1843, created by Andreas Flinch. It resides here at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. My first impression is one of a somewhat stilted elegance, particularly in the posture of the llama itself. Editor: It looks rather forlorn, doesn't it? I find myself considering what wood was used for the block, the labor involved in such detailed carving. These early prints offered glimpses into far-off lands; the making of them democratized knowledge, even if the image presented is filtered through a colonial lens. Curator: Yes, the linearity certainly defines the creature. The lines are simple, but they define form well enough. You have the mountain in the background as the simple setting and foliage surrounding the llama that enhance the composition. Editor: Precisely! The rendering of that landscape serves to exoticize the animal for European audiences. The availability of these printed images depended on the material realities: the trade routes that provided the wood, the artisan labor, the consumer marketplace that made such ventures profitable. Do we know the provenance of the wood used? Was it local, or did it arrive via global trade? Curator: Unfortunately, the documentation here is very limited in that regard. What’s remarkable to me is how Flinch used very fine lines to indicate shadow and volume, the sort of delicate details of shading he renders on the side of the beast is well done. Editor: Agreed, although the overall impact reveals more about European perceptions of South America than the animal itself. We should acknowledge how the creation and consumption of images like this fed into systems of knowledge production linked to empire building and the distribution of labor in that historical context. The European public are consuming an image far from their home without even realizing where or how it was sourced and made. Curator: The very constraints of woodcut medium must have impacted the stylistic qualities... Well, perhaps it's worthwhile to investigate some other works by Flinch. I want to look closer at these images. Editor: Indeed, delving deeper into the networks of production can offer invaluable insights into the exchange and power at play in visual culture, too. Thanks for taking the time to focus our thoughts!