想像與真實─對臺灣鹿皮畫的初步解讀

Abstract

本文藉由臺灣鹿皮畫的探究，解讀圖中的地理景觀與原漢人民的生活形貌。以圖像配合留存的文獻史料，及東西方的觀察紀錄，重現18世紀末葉的臺江風貌。本文嘗試從東西交逢下的東方貿易，理解臺灣鹿皮畫的文化脈絡，從地圖觀點與風俗觀點解讀畫上豐富的意象。 解讀臺灣鹿皮畫的過程中，呈現在圖像上的原漢生活風貌，是想像與真實並存，在虛與實之間必須放置在適當的歷史脈絡，配合文獻史料才得以一窺近代初期的臺灣歷史。

This dissertation aims to investigate the icons of the deer paintings of ancient Taiwan . Through the close examinations on the paintings as well as Chinese and western documents, I attempt to conceptualize the landscape of Tai-jiang Inland Sea and the life-styles of Han Chinese and aborigines presented in the paintings. From the cartographic and cultural perspectives, I discover many icons and images which can help us to realize the history of Taiwan ’s deer paintings and the development of trading with the West in the late-eighteenth century. After examining the details of deer paintings, I find out that the life-styles of Han Chinese and aborigines were actually imaginary as well as authentic presentations. This finding can only be comprehended when placing the paintings into the relevant historical context. In so doing, it can enrich our understanding about the history of Taiwan in the eighteenth century.