Diergaarde 1873

Editor: This is "Diergaarde," created in 1873 by De Ruyter & Meijer. It's an ink drawing on paper, and it reminds me of old natural history textbook illustrations. It seems like a chart showing various animals. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: I'm immediately struck by the animal representations and the way each evokes distinct cultural narratives. Consider the lion: historically, it’s been a potent symbol of royalty and courage across cultures. Juxtapose that with the kangaroo, a relatively unfamiliar creature in 19th-century Europe, exotic and Other. How do these pairings function? Editor: So you're saying it’s about more than just cataloging animals; it reflects how people at that time understood the world? Curator: Precisely. It's a reflection of cultural biases and imperial gaze. The act of visually collecting and categorizing these animals through print becomes a form of symbolic possession, placing these creatures within a European framework. Editor: I didn't think of it that way, as almost like collecting them all in one place. Curator: Think about the squirrel nestled alongside the hyena. What emotions do they stir? One familiar, perhaps even endearing, the other often perceived as cunning or repulsive. These visual juxtapositions perpetuate cultural perceptions of the natural world. How are they portrayed in comparison to one another? Editor: I see your point. It's less about pure zoological accuracy and more about these animals representing broader ideas and emotions that reflect 19th-century values. Curator: Exactly! Images are powerful vehicles for transmitting cultural memory and social values. And by looking at these images, we can learn a great deal about how cultural values have been shaped over time. Editor: That’s really fascinating! I’ll definitely look at similar illustrations differently from now on.