Gebruiken van inwoners uit Guinea 1727

Editor: This print, titled "Gebruiken van inwoners uit Guinea" or "Customs of the Inhabitants of Guinea", created around 1727 by Bernard Picart, showcases various scenes in a linear, almost storyboard-like fashion. I find the stark contrast and linear details quite striking, but the depicted scenes also feel somewhat… staged, almost as though they're being presented for an audience. What story do you think Picart is trying to tell here? Curator: Ah, staged indeed! You’ve hit upon a crucial point. These kinds of images weren’t necessarily meant to be accurate depictions. Consider the period. What purpose do you think such a rendering of Guinea might have served in 18th century Europe? Editor: Hmm, maybe to exoticize the "other"? To portray them as…primitive? Curator: Exactly! The ‘Age of Enlightenment’ wasn't enlightened for everyone. Picart is appropriating imagery – or rather, fabricating it. This etching, while exhibiting masterful linework, relies heavily on European biases and limited understanding. What initially struck me about the print were the stark binaries: civilized versus savage, familiar versus foreign. Though, is it ever that clear? Editor: I see what you mean. The more I look at it, the more uncomfortable I feel. It’s like viewing someone else's misinformed idea of a culture, rather than a genuine representation. Curator: Precisely! It highlights the pitfalls of representation itself, especially when power dynamics are in play. That's not to say the image is without value. Editor: True. It gives insight to historical perceptions. Thanks for this! Curator: It’s been my pleasure; looking at this etching alongside you opened my eyes a bit more. Thanks!