Het vertrek van generaal van Swieten naar Atjeh, 1873 1873

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans made this line drawing, "The Departure of General van Swieten to Aceh, 1873", in 1873. The composition is stark, split between the female figure to the left, and General van Swieten on the right. Notice how the artist uses line to create a sense of texture and depth. The cross-hatching on the General's uniform contrasts sharply with the smoother lines defining the female figure. It is as though the artist aims to distinguish between duty and vulnerability. The drawing employs a visual language rooted in the cultural codes of its time, reflecting power dynamics through symbolic representation. This isn't merely a depiction of a historical event; it is an encoding of values, beliefs, and power structures inherent in Dutch society during its colonial exploits.