Allegorie op Engelse en Nederlandse kolonies 1779

Simon Fokke created this print, "Allegory on English and Dutch Colonies," a meditation on the intertwined colonial histories of England and the Netherlands in the East Indies. Created during a time of intense global competition, the print reflects the complex power dynamics and cultural encounters of the 18th century. Notice how the artist uses allegorical figures to represent the colonies. These figures, often women, are depicted alongside symbols of trade, navigation, and indigenous peoples. This can tell us much about the gendered and racialized nature of colonial power. The map, unfurled by a cherubic figure, showcases the geographical scope of colonial ambition, but its presence also suggests a claim of knowledge and control over foreign lands. The inclusion of both European and indigenous figures invites us to consider the perspectives and experiences of those who were both colonizers and colonized. The artist presents a narrative of European dominance, it simultaneously acknowledges the presence and history of the indigenous populations, but does it give them agency? How can we reckon with the pain and the exploitation that went hand in hand with colonial expansion?