Witte kaketoe 1878 - 1914

Theo van Hoytema made this lithograph, "Witte kaketoe," or "White Cockatoo," in the Netherlands. The image depicts a cockatoo chained to a perch, its head drooped. The visual codes here of the bird, the chain, and the perch, point towards a specific cultural relationship with animals at the time. In the late 19th century, when the image was made, keeping exotic birds as pets was fashionable among the wealthy, as these creatures served as symbols of luxury and global reach. However, Hoytema's image subtly critiques this practice. The bird's downcast gaze and the heavy chains holding it captive suggest a loss of freedom and dignity, thus, the image prompts viewers to consider the ethical implications of commodifying and confining wild animals for human pleasure. To fully understand this work, one might delve into studies of pet-keeping during the Dutch colonial era, looking at sources like period advertisements, social commentaries, and scientific studies of animal behavior. Art like this urges us to reflect on the social structures that shape our interactions with the natural world.