Man dicteert inscriptie 1842 - 1900

Wilhelmus Petrus van Geldorp created this drawing titled 'Man dicteert inscriptie' using graphite. The work depicts an older, robed man dictating to two younger men who are carving a stone. The scene is set in what appears to be the Middle East, indicated by the palm trees. This image offers a glimpse into the dynamics of power and knowledge. The older man, likely a figure of authority or a scribe, is directing the labor of the younger men. We might consider the social conditions of 19th-century Europe, the time in which Van Geldorp was active, and the European fascination with the Orient. The drawing could also be a commentary on the role of institutions in shaping narratives. Who decides what gets inscribed in stone, and what is left out? As art historians, we seek to explore the ways in which images create and reinforce hierarchies. We use archives and historical texts to shed light on how such works reflect, and perhaps even challenge, the social structures of their time.