China prentbriefkaart 'De Chineesche draak tot den Stier Europa' c. 1900 - 1918

Alfaro Reijding made this print postcard, "The Chinese Dragon to the European Bull," with ink and paper, though the exact date is unknown. The stark contrast of yellow, white, and black gives it a graphic punch, reminiscent of woodblock prints, where the process is all about cutting away to reveal the image. The surface is flat, but the tension comes from the bold lines that define the dragon and bull, locked in this strange, symbolic dance. See how the dragon's teeth are bared, yet it's oddly ornamental, with those beaded necklaces and feathery tail? It's like a carnival float turned menacing. The bull, labeled "Europa," is solid black, weighed down by a bell. It all feels like a commentary on power, trade, and maybe even a little fear of the unknown. It's got echoes of Daumier's political cartoons, but with a distinctly Dutch directness. It makes you wonder, what kind of conversations were people having when they sent this postcard?