Oosterse roeiboten in een haven 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk created this drawing of 'Oosterse roeiboten in een haven' or Oriental Rowboats in a Harbor with graphite on paper. Stolk, born in the late 19th century, lived through a period of significant social change and increasing globalization. This drawing gives us a glimpse into the Dutch fascination with the "Orient," a term often used to describe the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. The sketch provides an intimate look at Stolk's process, revealing the initial stages of translating cultural encounters into art. It is important to consider how the artist's identity and background influenced this portrayal, and how the depiction of the rowboats may reinforce or challenge existing power dynamics and stereotypes associated with the "Orient." This drawing then serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in cross-cultural representation and the artist’s potential to reflect societal attitudes. It provokes questions about whose stories are told and how they are framed.