Rustende Kalmukken bij een rots 1772

Jean-Baptist Leprince made this drawing called 'Resting Kalmyks by a Rock' using brush and brown wash, in France, during the 18th century. Leprince's artistic vision, deeply entwined with the exoticism and orientalism that gripped Europe during this era, led him to explore themes of foreign cultures and distant lands. This interest was fueled in part by the illustrated travelogues and accounts from imperial outposts that came into circulation around the time. The drawing presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the cultural lenses through which Europeans perceived non-Western societies. As a visual document, it embodies the social conditions of its time, reflecting an inclination towards the exotic and an interest in faraway lands. By consulting historical travel accounts and anthropological studies, we can understand the complexities of cultural exchange and the power dynamics inherent in representing different societies. This is crucial if we want to avoid reinforcing stereotypes or perpetuating historical misinterpretations.