Gezicht op het eiland Poelo-Penjingat en de ankerplaats van Riauw 1843 - 1845

Paulus Lauters made this print of Poelo-Penjingat Island in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, in the 19th century. It gives us a glimpse into the intertwined worlds of colonialism and art. The image shows a tranquil scene. Islanders relax on a grassy verge, seemingly undisturbed by the Dutch ships anchored in the bay. But this is a carefully constructed image. The composition subtly asserts Dutch power and control. By choosing this viewpoint, Lauters frames the island as a resource for trade and domination. Consider the role of institutions like the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, the Dutch East India Company, in shaping the economic and political landscape of the region. Research into archival documents from this period can reveal more about the relationship between the local population and Dutch traders. This print serves as a reminder that art is never neutral. It reflects the social and institutional contexts in which it is produced.