Tiger 1870

Anton Romako painted this watercolor, "Tiger," in Austria in the 19th century. Romako lived during a time of significant shifts in European society, including industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of colonialism. The tiger in Romako’s painting is set against a backdrop that evokes both exoticism and artificiality; palm trees and waterfalls are rendered with a dreamy, almost theatrical quality. This romanticized depiction of the animal and its environment speaks to the Western fascination with the ‘Orient’ and the construction of the ‘exotic other’ during this era. At the same time, the tiger can be seen as a symbol of untamed power, brought to heel as European powers exerted their dominance. This artwork invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the representation of nature and culture, as well as the emotional space between admiration and exploitation.