South Sea Island n.d.

"South Sea Island," an undated work by the Dutch artist Lorens Gottman (1708-1779), offers a glimpse into European perceptions of the South Pacific in the 18th century. The drawing features a lush tropical landscape with palm trees and a bay dotted with ships, while indigenous peoples engage in activities like fishing and building huts. Gottman's work, now held by The Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the growing interest in exploring and documenting distant lands during the Age of Exploration. It provides a valuable window into the artistic and cultural exchange that characterized this period.