Gezicht op Serinhaim 1685 - 1714

Thomas Doesburgh created this print of "Gezicht op Serinhaim" using etching. The image offers a European perspective on a colonial settlement. It depicts the town of Serinhaim, likely in Brazil, during a period of Dutch colonial presence. The settlement has a church and other European-style buildings that stand in stark contrast to the tropical landscape and the ox-carts. The inclusion of enslaved people suggests the artist's awareness of the social realities underpinning the colonial system. Consider how the artist's choices reflect the cultural biases and power dynamics inherent in the colonial project. The idealized portrayal of the settlement obscures the violence and exploitation upon which it was built. To understand this artwork better, we can consult historical documents about Dutch colonization in Brazil. Through an examination of the image and those texts, we can better interpret how the artist's work speaks to the complex social and institutional histories of the time.