Afrika 1581

Johann Sadeler I made this engraving called “Afrika” around 1600 in the Netherlands, using a design by Theodore B. This image encapsulates the prevailing European view of the African continent during the early modern period. Sadeler’s print presents Africa as a reclining female figure, surrounded by exotic animals, palm trees, and distant mountains. The composition reflects the period's fascination with exploration and the representation of distant lands. It draws heavily on classical allegories and stereotypes to convey a sense of Africa as both fertile and wild, civilized and untamed. It is important to note that it reproduces a colonial European vision of the continent as a land of riches ready for the taking. To better understand this image, it is useful to consider the history of European exploration, the rise of cartography, and the systems of patronage in artistic institutions of the time. By studying archival records, travelogues, and other historical sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped the production and reception of this image.