Fotoreproductie van een tekening, voorstellende de woning van een stationschef te Lukolela before 1899

This photogravure depicts the station chief’s dwelling in Lukolela. Here, the symbols speak of the complex relationship between man and nature, civilization and the wild. Notice how the structure nestles within the dense forest, a small outpost of European influence amidst the vast Congo. The house itself, though modest, represents an imposition of order and control onto the untamed landscape. This contrast is evocative, stirring in us a primal tension. We see echoes of similar motifs throughout history, where domestic architecture symbolizes both shelter and dominance. This imposition carries a psychological weight, a desire to tame the unknown that resonates with both fear and ambition. The dwelling evokes the human need to control our environment, reflecting a deep psychological impulse, mirroring colonial aspirations and the drive to understand and master the world.