"Four Quarters of the Globe" 1783 - 1793

Jean-Baptiste Huet I created “Four Quarters of the Globe,” using block-printed cotton, as a refined commentary on 18th-century global awareness. During this time, France was deeply involved in colonial expansion, fueled by the Enlightenment's curiosity and the era's economic ambitions. This textile presents an idealized vision of the world. Here, continents blend in harmony with classical figures amidst exotic animals. Yet, this imagined harmony obscures the underlying realities of exploitation and unequal power dynamics inherent in colonial ventures. The textile invites us to consider the complex relationship between aesthetics and ethics, and to reflect on how cultural representations shape our understanding of global issues.