Inwoners aan de baai van Antongil (Madagaskar), 1595 1597 - 1646

This anonymous engraving, “Inwoners aan de baai van Antongil (Madagaskar), 1595,” from 1597-1646, depicts the indigenous people of Madagascar. It is currently part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. This print exemplifies a historical interest in representing the people and cultures of the world, and may have been produced as part of a larger series of prints documenting global explorations. The engraving's detailed depiction of the native peoples' clothing, weapons, and daily life provides a glimpse into their culture and traditions. The inclusion of a European ship in the background suggests the growing impact of European colonialism in Madagascar at the time.