De eerste stap van Cecil Rhodes op vaderlandschen bodem Possibly 1897

This print, titled "De eerste stap van Cecil Rhodes op vaderlandschen bodem", was created by an anonymous artist and published in the Netherlands in 1892. The image satirizes Cecil Rhodes's arrival on "fatherland's soil" after his exploitative ventures in South Africa. The print is rich in visual codes. On the ship's gangplank, black figures carry sacks marked 'South Africa,' suggesting the plundering of resources and labor. The line of men on the ground, positioned as stepping stones, symbolizes the degradation of the people whose land Rhodes colonized. One figure has already fallen, suggesting the futility of resistance. The historical context is critical here. The late 19th century was an era of aggressive European colonialism, justified by racist ideologies. This artwork speaks to the Dutch public’s perception of these events, a view likely shaped by local political discourse and the Netherlands' own colonial history. To fully appreciate this image, one might research Dutch colonial attitudes of the time, along with the specifics of Rhodes’s activities. The meaning of this image hinges on understanding its socio-political context.