Tekening uit archief Jan Veth 1848 - 1927

Curator: Here we have a pencil drawing titled "Tekening uit archief Jan Veth," dating roughly from 1848 to 1927 and currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. The artist is August Allebé. Editor: The mood strikes me immediately as maternal, and deeply tender. It’s a sketch, still with some structural lines visible, but the subject, a lioness and cub, is powerful. Curator: It is a powerful image. I’m drawn to think about the role of zoos during this period, and the cultural fascination with exotic animals that fuelled colonial power structures. This sketch is more than just an innocent animal study. The lions' portrayal—relaxed, even vulnerable—might be interpreted as a subtle commentary on the exploitation of the natural world within colonial power structures. Editor: That's a compelling point. Considering the prevalence of exotic animals being put on display for Western eyes, rendering them with such vulnerability is quietly radical. The cub, tucked under its mother, is seeking comfort, safety, almost protest. It speaks volumes about the power dynamics not just between humans and animals, but about who is allowed to claim power, security and safety. Curator: Exactly. This composition prompts questions around protection, dependency, and how those in positions of power – like the lioness, or indeed, the colonizer – shape the experiences of those under their influence. Allebé presents the figures so that they quietly interrogate conventional hierarchical structures. Editor: It reframes the power dynamic in art in general too. These wild animals are no longer something ‘exotic’ to be possessed, or ‘dangerous’ to be subdued; they are depicted as vulnerable individuals, thereby dismantling colonial narratives prevalent within nineteenth century art. The medium itself, a simple pencil sketch, adds a layer of intimacy and immediacy. Curator: Ultimately, this work serves as a potent reminder of the embedded socio-political implications of even the most seemingly benign artwork. Allebé encourages us to recognize, question and consider all narratives and embedded assumptions concerning colonial power that influence perceptions of nature, wild life, and their value. Editor: Indeed. I look at the piece with renewed appreciation for its deceptive simplicity. This pencil sketch offers a commentary that still resonates today.