Studies of Screwpines from Madagascar 1887

Max Seliger made these studies of screwpines from Madagascar with pen and ink on paper. Seliger was working in a moment when scientific exploration often intertwined with colonial ambition. These studies represent more than just botanical documentation. They are enmeshed in a complex history of colonial encounters, and scientific exploration during the late 19th century. Madagascar, with its unique biodiversity, became a site of intense scientific interest, fueled by European colonial expansion. Seliger’s detailed renderings of the screwpines reflect this drive to classify and document the natural world, embedding the plants in a visual language that both appreciates and objectifies them. The act of studying and documenting these plants is reflective of a colonial gaze, one that seeks to understand and ultimately control the natural resources of distant lands. These drawings speak to the intersection of science, colonialism, and the representation of nature. They reflect not just botanical interest, but the broader political and social context of the time, shaping our understanding of both the natural world and the dynamics of power.