Portret van Leopold II before 1897

This is a portrait of Leopold II, published in Belgium in the late 19th century, within a guidebook to the Independent State of Congo. The portrait, though small, exudes power and authority, reflecting the monarch's self-image. It sits opposite text promoting the Belgian colonial project. But who was the audience for this book? The guidebook promotes the colonial project, seemingly directed at Belgians, perhaps enticing them to invest in, or even travel to, the Congo. The book presents a narrative of progress and civilization brought to the Congo under Leopold's rule. But this narrative conceals the brutal reality of exploitation and violence inflicted on the Congolese people. As art historians, we examine such images and texts critically, cross-referencing them with other sources, such as colonial archives, missionary accounts, and, crucially, the testimonies of the Congolese themselves. It's vital to consider the social and institutional context in which the artwork was created and circulated.