Vignet met twee mannen die een beeld aanbidden 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this engraving, "Vignet met twee mannen die een beeld aanbidden," sometime between 1673 and 1733. It depicts two men in what appears to be genuflection before a statue of a multi-armed figure, surrounded by symbolic ornamentation. Born in France during a period of immense cultural exchange and colonial expansion, Picart's work provides a window into the European perception of non-Western cultures and religions. His engravings often documented or interpreted foreign customs for a European audience. The image is layered with symbols that invite us to think about how cultural artifacts, in this case the statue and the act of worship, are interpreted across different social groups. Consider the gazes involved. As viewers today, we are asked to consider the image’s depiction of these men and their devotional act, understanding that the artist likely approached the subject from a place of cultural distance. The image might encourage us to reflect on the politics of looking and interpretation, particularly when we engage with cultures and beliefs different from our own.