Girandole met man en zwijn Possibly 1755 - 1759

William Austin created this intricate drawing, *Girandole met man en zwijn*, sometime in the 18th century. During this period, Europe’s elite reveled in lavish displays of wealth and power, and the decorative arts flourished. Look closely, and you will see the fantastical scene framed by a symmetrical, almost architectural structure. At the top, a figure sits jauntily, and below, a boar is depicted in the midst of a verdant landscape. The relationship between the man and the animal, poised between control and wildness, speaks to colonialist dynamics, which were predicated on a perceived dominance of man over nature. The drawing's ornamental design would have been used as inspiration for the decorative schemes of aristocratic interiors. As such, *Girandole met man en zwijn* is a window into the cultural values and social hierarchies of 18th-century Europe. In its celebration of extravagance, it reflects a society deeply shaped by issues of class, privilege, and the exploitation of natural resources.