Capron commun. (Strawberries) 1807 - 1835

This is an undated print of strawberries, titled "Capron commun.", by an anonymous artist. Botanical illustrations like this were crucial to the study of natural history, especially as European powers expanded their empires. These images served not only as scientific records but also as expressions of power, reflecting colonial interests in categorizing and exploiting natural resources. The very act of naming and classifying plants was intertwined with asserting control over new territories. It is interesting to consider how the seemingly neutral act of botanical illustration was deeply embedded in the complex politics of exploration, trade, and colonialism. What stories do these strawberries tell about our relationship to the natural world? And, how might it change our understanding of history?