Portret van Damiaan van Molokai 1891

Karl Meunier created this portrait of Father Damiaan van Molokai using black chalk. Damiaan was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium, who dedicated his life to treating people suffering from leprosy on the island of Molokai in Hawai’i. His choice to isolate himself with the sufferers, ministering to their spiritual and medical needs, eventually led to his own infection and death from the disease. Meunier's portrait captures a moment of quiet intensity, yet the history of Molokai is laden with exploitation, and the legacy of leprosy is filled with suffering. While the image has become a symbol of charity, it's impossible to ignore the complicated history of colonial intervention and forced segregation. Portraits like these serve not only to commemorate individuals but also to remind us of the complex layers of power and identity that shape our collective memory.