Misvormd mens afkomstig van Madagaskar, 1658 1658

This print, titled "Deformed person from Madagascar," was made in Amsterdam in 1658 by Zacharias Webber using engraving. It is a relatively reproducible method to create images, and in this case, to disseminate information—or in this case misinformation. The stark contrasts and fine lines were achieved by cutting into a metal plate, applying ink, and pressing it onto paper. The choice of this readily available medium reflects the desire to spread this image far and wide. Consider the social context of the time: Dutch traders were exploring the world, and this image reflects a mix of curiosity and misunderstanding. The figure is a combination of human and animal features, highlighting European perceptions of the "exotic." Prints like these fueled public interest and shaped views about distant lands and their inhabitants, revealing the complex relationship between art, trade, and the construction of cultural stereotypes.