Gezicht op Jericho 1852

François Stroobant made this lithograph called "View of Jericho," in the 19th century. It depicts a serene landscape, but we can explore how it speaks to the complex social and cultural context of its time. In this image, we see the city in the distance as well as people with camels, and encampments in the foreground, evoking a sense of biblical history and perhaps pilgrimage. This representation of the Middle East was produced at a time when European powers were expanding their influence in the region through colonialism. The image creates meaning through a romantic, perhaps idealized view of the East, consistent with the Orientalist fantasies popular in Europe at the time. The Rijksmuseum's collection reflects the country's cultural and colonial past, and understanding the artwork requires attention to the dynamics of power and representation during this period. Studying such images alongside travelogues, colonial records, and other historical documents helps us reveal the ways in which the “Orient” has been imagined and constructed through art.