De Congostaad / Soudan 1894 - 1959

This illustrated print, titled "De Congostaad / Soudan," presents scenes from the Congo and Sudan. Immediately striking is the depiction of river travel, where European figures are guided through turbulent waters by African rowers. Water, a symbol of life and chaos, here embodies both the promise and peril of exploration. Consider how such images resonate with classical motifs. The perilous journey across water echoes stories like the crossing of the River Styx in Greek mythology. Just as those ancient voyages symbolized a transition into the unknown, so too does this scene evoke the uncertainties and cultural encounters inherent in colonial expansion. But, observe how the waters are tamed by the boatmen. This conveys a powerful psychological narrative, presenting the colonizers as figures of reason amidst the perceived wildness of the landscape, subtly reinforcing a narrative of control and domination. The image thus becomes a potent carrier of cultural memory.