Twee studies van een liggende tijger 1821 - 1891

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen made these two studies of a resting tiger in pencil and crayon in the 19th century. The image provides a glimpse into the cultural fascination with the exotic that characterized much of 19th-century European art. This was a time when colonial expansion brought Europeans into closer contact with far-flung lands and their wildlife. Such images were not simply innocent depictions of animals; they reflected and reinforced the power dynamics between Europe and the rest of the world. In countries like the Netherlands, where van der Brugghen lived, institutions like the Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of animals from distant lands. Artists often visited these zoos to study and draw exotic creatures, which were then displayed in paintings and prints for a public eager to consume images of the exotic. To better understand van der Brugghen's work, we could consult historical records, travel literature, and studies on the cultural history of zoos and animal representation. The image of the tiger is deeply embedded in a complex web of social, economic, and political relations.