Beer met spoor 1751

Johann Ridinger created this etching, "Bear with Tracks," sometime in the 18th century. This print gives us insight into the changing relationship between humans and the natural world during the Enlightenment. Made in Germany, this image participates in a broader cultural movement towards scientific observation and classification. The detailed depiction of the bear, combined with the careful rendering of its tracks, reflects a desire to understand and categorize the natural world. But it also speaks to something more sinister: Europe's imperial and colonial ambitions. This was a time when the European powers were expanding their reach across the globe, and the scientific study of nature was often intertwined with the exploitation of natural resources and the subjugation of indigenous populations. By studying these images, and drawing on sources from the history of science and colonialism, we can better understand the complex and often contradictory ways in which humans have engaged with the natural world.