Grote paradijsvogel 1928

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this watercolor drawing, titled "Greater Bird of Paradise", at an unknown date. The depiction of exotic birds, such as this one from Indonesia, was of great interest to European audiences from the early 17th century onwards. These images circulated in the form of drawings, paintings, and prints, and helped to fuel colonial expansion. The "Grote paradijsvogel" is part of a larger pattern in which European artists represented and classified the flora and fauna of colonized lands. This drawing prompts us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the representation of nature. Is it possible to depict nature without also enacting a form of control over it? Art historians address these questions by studying the relationship between art, science, and colonialism. They analyze archival materials, travel accounts, and scientific publications to better understand the social context in which these images were created and consumed.