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Unique Portrait Reveals Enslaved Person in Colonial Cape Archive
A recently discovered 1788 drawing depicts Hendrik Cloete, a Cape wine farmer, alongside his enslaved servant, Augustus van Bengalen, offering a rare visual record of slavery at the Cape of Good Hope, part of a larger family archive now accessible for research.
- How does the Swellengrebel family archive, including Hendrik Swellengrebel Jr.'s travel journals and supply lists, illuminate the daily realities and economic activities of the colonial Cape of Good Hope?
- The Swellengrebel family archive, now donated to the Rijksmuseum and National Archives, provides invaluable insight into the colonial era at the Cape of Good Hope. Hendrik Swellengrebel Jr.'s travel journals detail land suitability and supplies, revealing colonial exploitation firsthand. The archive includes lists of items taken on expeditions, such as ox-carts, fishing hooks, and nets, offering a tangible picture of colonial activities.
- What is the historical significance of the newly discovered portrait of Hendrik Cloete and his enslaved servant, Augustus van Bengalen, and what immediate implications does this discovery have for our understanding of colonial South Africa?
- An anonymous drawing from around 1788 depicts Hendrik Cloete, a wine farmer, with his enslaved servant, Augustus van Bengalen. This unique portrait, recently rediscovered in the Swellengrebel family collection after over two centuries, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the colonial past of the Cape of Good Hope. The drawing's significance lies in its depiction of an enslaved individual, a rarity in colonial Cape records.
- What potential future research avenues does the digital accessibility of the Swellengrebel family archive open, particularly concerning the experiences and representation of enslaved people in the colonial Cape, and how might this impact our understanding of colonial history?
- The discovery of this archive and the portrait, including the named enslaved individual Augustus van Bengalen, challenges the historical record's lack of attention to the experiences of enslaved people at the Cape. The digital accessibility of the archive opens new avenues for research, furthering our understanding of colonial practices and the lives of those subjected to them. This discovery highlights the potential for future discoveries concerning the enslaved population of the Cape.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative primarily frames the story around the discovery and significance of the Swellengrebel family archive, emphasizing their contributions and the historical value of their preserved documents. While the presence of the enslaved person is acknowledged, the framing centers more on the family's legacy and their meticulous record-keeping. The headline itself might benefit from being more inclusive, possibly mentioning the enslaved individual alongside the family.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but descriptive words like "unique" and "remarkable" in relation to the archive and the portrait could be considered slightly loaded. While not explicitly biased, these words subtly influence the reader's perception of the archive's importance. More balanced phrasing could be explored.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Swellengrebel family and their contribution to colonial South Africa, potentially omitting the perspectives and experiences of the enslaved people. While mentioning the enslaved individual Augustus van Bengalen, the article doesn't delve into their life or experiences beyond their depiction in a portrait. The lack of detail regarding the lives of enslaved people in the Cape Colony constitutes a significant omission.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't exhibit overt gender bias. While the main focus is on male figures (Hendrik Cloete, Johannes Swellengrebel, Hendrik Swellengrebel junior), this reflects the historical context where men often dominated colonial records and governance. However, future research and analysis of the archive could reveal potential gender biases within the documents themselves.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery of archival materials sheds light on the economic exploitation inherent in colonial systems. The wealth accumulated by the Swellengrebel family, detailed in the article, was directly linked to the labor of enslaved people like Augustus van Bengalen. This highlights the vast economic disparity and inequality that colonialism fostered, hindering progress towards poverty reduction for enslaved populations and perpetuating a legacy of economic injustice.