Papoeameisje 1883 - 1923

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster created this woodcut, titled 'Papoeameisje' which translates to 'Papuan Girl' in Dutch, likely during the early 20th century. The stark black and white contrast captures a figure in a boat, a scene referencing the Dutch colonial presence in Papua. During this period, the Netherlands exerted control over parts of New Guinea, now known as Papua, extracting resources and implementing administrative structures. The image presents a simplified and exoticized view of indigenous people, typical of colonial-era representations. Ten Klooster was part of a broader artistic movement that often engaged with themes of empire and cultural encounters, reflecting the Netherlands' complex relationship with its colonies. To fully understand this woodcut, one must consult historical archives, colonial records, and postcolonial critiques. Such investigations reveal how art served both as a tool for promoting colonial ideology and as a site for contesting its dominance.