Trommelslager en trompettist te paard in fantasiekostuum, aangeduid als 'Indiens' 1670

This is a print made by François Chauveau, sometime in the 17th century, showing a drummer and a trumpeter on horseback in fancy dress, labelled ‘Indians’. But these aren't depictions of Native Americans based on first-hand knowledge. Instead, the image speaks to European fantasies about the ‘New World’. It’s likely that Chauveau never travelled outside of Europe. So, where did these ideas come from? Well, the print was made in France during the reign of Louis XIV, a period when elaborate court festivals and theatrical performances were popular forms of entertainment. ‘Indians’ like these were a common theme, providing an opportunity for costume design and role-play. This image can tell us a lot about the cultural and institutional history of early modern Europe. We can use sources like costume books, theatre records, and travel narratives to piece together the complex ways in which Europeans imagined and represented other cultures.