Twee scènes met een Chinese gevangene 1842 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, "Two Scenes with a Chinese Prisoner," in the nineteenth century, a period marked by increasing European colonial expansion and the circulation of exoticized images of non-Western cultures. The print is divided into two distinct scenes. The upper register shows a trial, possibly of a Chinese prisoner, while the lower register depicts a prisoner being abused. These scenes were shaped by the cultural biases inherent in European colonial attitudes toward China at the time. The artist's position as a European likely influenced his interpretation and representation of Chinese culture, perpetuating stereotypes. This piece invites us to reflect on the power dynamics embedded in colonial encounters and how these encounters were mediated through artistic representation. It challenges us to consider whose perspectives are privileged and whose are marginalized in historical narratives. How does seeing these images make you feel about the history of cultural exchange?