Indian Settlement c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "Indian Settlement" by George Baxter, depicts a scene in what looks like a tropical area. The colors are so vibrant! What stories do you think this image is trying to tell? Curator: Notice the prominent use of lush vegetation. It evokes the symbolic idea of 'untamed' nature, a common theme in depictions of colonized lands. How does that relate to the people in the boat versus those on shore? Editor: I guess there's a contrast between exploration and the local inhabitants and their culture. Curator: Exactly. Baxter's details encourage you to remember how images shape perceptions. We can still see the vestiges of colonial attitudes embedded here. Editor: That's a powerful reminder about the subtle messages images can carry.