Li, de groote Chineesche dierentemmer Possibly 1896 - 1897

Curator: Oh, this sketch has such an immediate whimsical charm. I am intrigued by the balance and movement achieved with the curved lines of the archway against the jagged caricature of figures below. Editor: Indeed. This is a work by Willem van Konijnenburg, possibly created between 1896 and 1897, titled "Li, de groote Chineesche dierentemmer," which translates to "Li, the great Chinese animal tamer." It’s a drawing, rendered in ink, brimming with cultural and political undertones. Curator: The use of line is so wonderfully illustrative! Each animal seems to embody the stereotypes of a particular country. The lion probably symbolizes England, looking upwards rather expectantly. I find it quite witty how he uses physiognomy to caricature nations through animals. Editor: Precisely. It is an example of orientalism prevalent at the time, feeding into western fantasies and anxieties about the East. The central figure, Li, embodies a somewhat patronizing view of Chinese power. He’s literally at the apex of the piece, overseeing what is most likely 19th century Europe. Curator: The contrast in textures and detail contributes greatly to the caricature aspect. The smooth skin of Li stands apart from the furry detail of the animal representations. The almost flat presentation of these characters really seems reminiscent of a cartoon strip, something simple and eye-catching to convey meaning and perhaps elicit strong responses. Editor: No doubt it does. Considering the period, and given Konijnenburg’s interest in social commentary, it probably appeared in a journal alongside editorials expressing a particular sociopolitical view on global power dynamics. It certainly does speak volumes about how Western societies perceived their standing against the East during this era. Curator: It's quite stunning how much political discourse the artist can capture through visual metaphor alone. A really complex web of opinions depicted in this fascinating drawing! Editor: Agreed. The power of art to capture these transient societal tensions never ceases to amaze.