Steekspeler en page te paard in fantasiekostuum, aangeduid als 'Indiens' 1670

François Chauveau made this etching of a ‘Steekspeler en page te paard in fantasiekostuum, aangeduid als ‘Indiens’’ at an unknown date. The elaborate costumes tell us about French courtly culture in the 17th century. We see two figures on horseback, adorned in fanciful attire labelled as ‘Indian.’ This image evokes the ‘Carrousel,’ an elaborate equestrian ballet. The French court under Louis XIV used these spectacles to project power and magnificence. The ‘Indian’ theme reflects Europe’s fascination with and misrepresentation of non-European cultures. These performances served to reinforce Europe’s sense of superiority and justify its colonial ambitions. Historians can examine costume designs, festival books, and accounts from the period to reveal the complex web of cultural meanings embedded in this print. It offers a window into the social rituals and power dynamics of the French court. The image reminds us that artistic creations are always rooted in specific social and institutional contexts.