Reproductie van een gravure van de Exposition Nationale van 1880 in Brussel, omringd door tekeningen en een portret van Léopold II, door Armand Heins 1881 - 1882

This is a reproduction of an engraving of the Exposition Nationale of 1880 in Brussels, surrounded by drawings and a portrait of Léopold II. Though the artist is anonymous, this piece offers insight into the cultural and political landscape of late 19th-century Belgium. The engraving, made during Léopold II’s reign, presents a carefully constructed image of national pride and progress. However, this celebratory depiction stands in stark contrast to the brutal realities of Léopold's colonial exploitation of the Congo Free State. Consider how the grandeur of the exposition, as depicted here, was financed through the extraction of resources and the exploitation of Congolese people. The drawings and portrait of Léopold II, which surround the central image, reinforce a narrative of national achievement, while obscuring the human cost of colonial ambition. This piece serves as a potent reminder of how art can both reflect and mask the complex intersections of power, identity, and historical truth. It invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves and the narratives that remain hidden beneath the surface.