Verschillende vogels en een aap 1655 - 1718

Jan Griffier created this print, "Verschillende vogels en een aap," using etching, a process that democratized image production in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, Griffier presents us with a landscape populated by an array of birds and a monkey, seemingly observed through the lens of scientific curiosity, yet steeped in the period's colonial gaze. The attention to detail in rendering each species reflects a burgeoning interest in natural history, fueled by exploration and the desire to classify the natural world. But, for whom was this nature being classified? The presence of exotic animals invites us to consider the cultural and economic exchanges that shaped the era. While offering a glimpse into the wonders of the natural world, this image also reflects the power dynamics inherent in exploration, trade, and the human desire to dominate nature. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between observation, knowledge, and control.