Coolen begin een bos te kappen te Ngoro, ca. 1820-1850 1850 - 1950

This drawing, made with graphite around 1820-1850 by an anonymous artist, depicts a man cutting down trees in Ngoro. The composition is structured by the contrast between the figure in the foreground and the dense forest behind. The artist has rendered the scene with meticulous detail. Look at how the textures of the trees and the man's clothing are clearly differentiated through the skillful use of line and shading. The tight framing of the scene adds to the claustrophobic sense. The cultural and colonial context plays an important role here. The act of deforestation can be seen as a signifier of colonial expansion and the exploitation of natural resources. The image, therefore, destabilizes conventional notions of progress and development. Consider how the artist’s choice of graphite enhances the depiction of materiality and texture. The drawing captures a moment of change and its complex web of social, economic, and environmental implications. It invites ongoing interpretation and discourse.