Asie, from "Jeu de la Géographie" 1644

Editor: Here we have Stefano della Bella's etching, "Asie, from 'Jeu de la Géographie'," created in 1644. The print features a woman riding in a chariot pulled by elephants. The incredible detail in the line work gives the piece a rich, almost textural quality. I'm curious, what jumps out at you when you look at this work? Curator: Ah, yes, Bella’s "Asie"! It's far more than just a pretty picture, isn't it? I think it is so interesting because, beyond the delightful rendering of elephants, it speaks volumes about how Europeans imagined and understood Asia in the 17th century. Do you notice how Asia is personified here? Editor: You mean the woman in the chariot? Curator: Exactly! It’s an allegorical representation. Bella uses her and her surroundings –the exotic animals and the luxurious conveyance, don't forget about the text which speaks of spices and diamonds – to construct a very particular, perhaps even idealized, view of the continent. Now, what kind of a message do you think he’s trying to convey here, about the character of Asia? Editor: It comes across as luxurious and exotic, a land of riches. Almost like a dream. Curator: Precisely. There's an element of fantasy, don't you think? And it reveals a longing for the 'Orient', packaged into this small etching. Think about it: for the audiences back then, this wasn't just a picture. It was a snippet of a far-off world, brimming with both allure and perhaps, a hint of the unknown. Editor: It’s interesting how a single image can hold so many layers of meaning and reflect a whole culture's perception of another. Curator: Exactly! Art, particularly works like this, serves as a looking glass –reflecting not only the subject, but also the observer.