Dieren 1850

Jan Schuitemaker's "Dieren," or "Animals," is a magazine print, made in Purmerende, Netherlands. The exact date of its creation is unknown, but the visual style evokes the nineteenth century, a time of burgeoning interest in natural history and the classification of species. This print offers a glimpse into the cultural attitudes towards animals during that era. The images, rendered in a simple, almost crude manner, depict various creatures like deer, llamas, and reindeer in their supposed natural habitats. Accompanying each image are short verses in Dutch, offering observations about the animals' characteristics and behaviors. Consider how these representations might reflect the relationship between humans and the natural world. Were these images intended to educate, to entertain, or perhaps to reinforce a sense of human dominance over nature? How might a contemporary audience, more attuned to issues of environmentalism and animal rights, interpret these images? The emotional distance in the representation encourages critical reflection on the power dynamics embedded in our understanding of the natural world.