Slag bij de piramiden 1840

Abraham Lion Zeelander created this print of the Battle of the Pyramids sometime in the early 19th century. Zeelander, of Dutch-Jewish descent, was born during a period of revolution and change across Europe. This image depicts Napoleon's forces clashing with the Mamluk army in Egypt. The pyramids loom in the background, silent witnesses to the violence unfolding below. What we see here is more than just a historical battle scene; it's a representation laden with the complex politics of colonialism. The print not only illustrates a military victory, but also reinforces a narrative of European dominance over the East. It invites us to consider whose stories are being told, and from what perspective. Zeelander’s print allows us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in historical depictions and the ways in which these images have shaped perceptions of both the colonizer and the colonized.