Het schip bij Cocos eiland, 1616 1617 - 1646

This engraving, "Het schip bij Cocos eiland, 1616," captures a moment of encounter during a period of intense European exploration and colonial ambition. The image presents the arrival of Dutch ships at Cocos Island, depicted alongside the islanders in their outrigger canoes. What stories do these boats tell us? The large Dutch ship represents power and dominance, while the smaller canoes signify the islanders' connection to their land and sea. These vessels are brought together in a meeting fraught with implications of cultural exchange and colonial imposition. The islanders are at once curious and wary. As viewers, we are invited to consider the dynamics of this encounter. The engraving provides a glimpse into a world where the meeting of different cultures led to a complex weaving of identities and histories, forever altering the trajectories of all involved.