Kaart van Afrika c. 1690

Curator: This captivating engraving is "Kaart van Afrika," or "Map of Africa," crafted around 1690 by Carel Allard, currently held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: The colors, faded though they may be, evoke a sense of exoticism. The overall impression is one of vastness, even mystery, given the interior’s rather generic rendering. Curator: Indeed. And that "mystery" stems from a deeply embedded Eurocentric worldview. Note how coastal regions are meticulously detailed, while the interior remains vague, filled with imaginative depictions rather than accurate geography. Editor: Still, there’s a real harmony in the use of line. Look at the cartouches – the flowing script and the way they are interwoven with flora and fauna – particularly the illustration and detailed layout of the lower left corner. Curator: Precisely! The allegorical figures represent Europe's vision of Africa. One is the personification of Africa on the lower left who seems exoticized and subdued. It shows us the power dynamics at play, reinforcing colonial narratives. Editor: Though, if you ignore the historical context for a moment and try and disassociate what you know, you appreciate the use of color, the texture achieved through engraving, and the almost Baroque abundance of detail. Curator: That's difficult for me, since seeing the details reinforces the human impact, in this instance especially about colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade in particular. Editor: Yes, the map is not simply an objective rendering of land. Each contour and embellishment reveals cultural biases, an active project of claiming territory not only physically but also intellectually and discursively. Curator: Exactly. This is an artifact not just of geographical knowledge but also of European power and the construction of difference, reinforcing a view of Africa as "other," as a place for extraction and exploitation. It becomes a graphic representation of colonial ambition. Editor: And its artistry is almost diabolical for the precise and enticing execution that belies such human cruelty. Despite this, and given this context, it’s amazing how it pulls the viewer to spend time deciphering it. Curator: I leave this map feeling that, despite the passing of centuries, the cartographic and social legacy endures. There is continued effort required to overturn its damage.