Het Gouverneurshuis met de tuin te Colombo op Ceylon 1710

Cornelis Steiger made this watercolor painting, titled 'Het Gouverneurshuis met de tuin te Colombo op Ceylon'. It shows the Governor's residence and garden in Colombo, Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. Watercolors, like the ones used here, are pigments suspended in a water-based solution. This technique has a long history, dating back to prehistoric cave paintings. However, in Steiger's time, watercolors were becoming increasingly popular for topographical and botanical illustrations, prized for their portability and ability to capture fine detail. Notice how Steiger skillfully uses the translucent quality of watercolors to depict light and atmosphere. The washes of color create a sense of depth and texture, defining the architectural structure of the building and lushness of the garden. The use of linear perspective and precise brushwork adds a sense of realism to the scene. But remember that this is a colonial view, in which the exploitation of resources is naturalized. Ultimately, the painting reminds us that every artwork is embedded in social relations, reflecting the politics and economies of its time.