Exotische dieren uit de Koninklijke menagerie aan de Strand, Londen 1813

Samuel Howitt created this print of exotic animals from the Royal Menagerie during the late 18th to early 19th century. It offers a window into the colonial era, shaped by exploration, trade and the establishment of menageries. The gathering of animals, rendered in detailed monochrome, speaks to the identities of both the colonizers and the colonized. It highlights the power dynamics inherent in the act of collecting and displaying animals from distant lands. The print invites us to consider how these animals were perceived and what role they played in constructing notions of British identity and dominance. The image is more than just a depiction of animals; it is a representation of a world shaped by exploration, trade, and colonialism. It embodies both the wonder and the complicated ethics of this historical moment.