Gezicht op het roofdierenverblijf in Artis in Amsterdam 1860 - 1890

This photograph captures the predator enclosure at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, through the lens of Andries Jager. The image offers a glimpse into the cultural values and scientific interests of the 19th century. The zoo, a site of both entertainment and education, reflects a society grappling with its relationship to the natural world, and its place within the colonial project. Consider how the architecture of the enclosure speaks to the desire to contain and observe nature. The carefully manicured garden in the foreground contrasts sharply with the wildness it seeks to represent. While zoos ostensibly promoted scientific understanding and conservation, they simultaneously reinforced a human-centered worldview, underscoring narratives of dominance and control. As you reflect on this photograph, consider how spaces shape our understanding of the world and our relationship to each other.