Platstaartslangen 1764 - 1784

Simon Fokke’s *Platstaartslangen* is an engraving of sea snakes which resides in the Rijksmuseum. Fokke worked during the Enlightenment, a time of exploration, and burgeoning scientific discovery. Consider how the detailed rendering of these snakes reflects an emerging sense of the natural world. During this period, there was increased trade and colonial expansion, which led to greater access to and interest in the exotic flora and fauna of distant lands. This detailed and careful depiction reflects a desire to document and classify the natural world, as well as the commercial and colonial motivations that drove such exploration. The way these snakes are presented, carefully arranged, and meticulously rendered, tells us much about the relationship between the West and the non-Western world. Fokke invites us to consider our own position within a complex web of power, knowledge, and representation.