Gezicht op drie huizen op de plantage Surimonbo te Suriname 1708

Dirk Valkenburg made this pen drawing depicting three houses on the Surimonbo plantation in Suriname. Valkenburg, who had previously worked as a portrait painter, traveled to Suriname around 1706, where he worked for several years painting scenes of daily life. This drawing gives us a glimpse into the colonial landscape of Suriname, marked by the exploitation of enslaved people on plantations. While the drawing appears to be a simple depiction of houses and livestock, it also subtly reveals the power dynamics and social stratification of the time. It is a landscape of forced labor and the extraction of resources, built on the backs of those who were denied their freedom and humanity. Even in its quietness, the drawing can evoke a sense of unease and reflection. The viewer is confronted with the human cost of colonialism and slavery. It’s a reminder that history is not just about dates and events, but about the lived experiences of those who were often marginalized or erased from the dominant narratives.