Khoikhoi van Kaap de Goede Hoop, 1726 1726

This engraving, “Khoikhoi van Kaap de Goede Hoop”, was made in 1726 by an anonymous artist. It depicts the Khoikhoi people of the Cape of Good Hope, now part of South Africa. The image presents the Khoikhoi in a manner that reflects the European perspective of the time. It's important to recognize that such images were often produced to cater to European audiences and their perceptions of foreign lands and peoples, during a period of increasing colonial expansion. The Rijksmuseum's acquisition and display of this work are part of a longer institutional history of collecting and exhibiting items related to Dutch colonial activities. To truly understand this image, one needs to explore the broader context of Dutch colonial history, the social and economic motivations behind it, and the ways in which the Khoikhoi people were affected by these encounters. Historical archives, colonial records, and anthropological studies are crucial resources for understanding this complex history and the ways in which it continues to shape our world today.