Jacht op walvissen en rendieren van de Samojeden 1598

This engraving, titled 'Hunting of whales and reindeer by the Samoyeds', shows an anonymous artist’s attempt to depict the hunting practices of the Samoyeds, a nomadic group, and is presented as a schematic arrangement with close attention to its surface. Observe the composition, which is divided into distinct zones representing different activities: whaling dominates the upper register, while reindeer hunting and cooking occupy the lower one. The visual language is one of signs. Notice how each figure is rendered with simple lines, almost like ideograms. The artist uses stark contrasts of light and shadow to define forms, but the overall effect is flattened, denying any sense of depth. The composition lacks a unifying perspective; rather, it presents a collection of scenes as a single narrative tableau. Despite its documentary intent, the engraving reveals more about the European gaze than about Samoyed culture. The piece uses semiotic representation to translate an unfamiliar world into a set of recognizable symbols.