Asian 1745 - 1760

This is “Asian,” a porcelain figure made by the Höchst Manufactory in Germany, sometime between 1746 and 1796. Figures such as these were popular in Europe during the 18th century, reflecting a fascination with the “exotic” cultures of the East. Yet, this fascination was complicated. It was entangled with European colonialism and trade. In this context, the figure participates in the construction of an “Oriental” identity, shaped by Western fantasies and power dynamics. Looking at it today, we might ask: What does it mean to portray a culture through the lens of another? How does this shape our understanding—or misunderstanding—of different identities? The figure, with its stylized clothing and ambiguous features, invites us to consider the complexities of cultural exchange and representation. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in how we perceive and depict one another, and how stereotypes can flatten the lived experiences of entire groups of people.