Chinesen aanbidden godenbeelden 1682 - 1711

Pieter Schenk made this print, titled 'Chinese Worship of Idols', around the turn of the 18th century using etching and engraving. The image presents a scene of what was perceived as Chinese religious practice. The style is typical of European depictions of non-Western cultures at the time, a period marked by increasing global trade and colonial expansion. This image reflects the European fascination with, and often misunderstanding of, foreign cultures. The scene includes figures in what are meant to be traditional Chinese garments, worshipping statues that are likely based on second-hand accounts rather than accurate observation. The print would have circulated within a European market eager for exotic imagery. Its value today lies in what it tells us about European attitudes towards the East and the early stages of cultural exchange. To understand this image fully, researchers consult travel literature, missionary accounts, and other visual representations of China from the same period. By doing so, we gain insight into the complex interplay of curiosity, commerce, and cultural projection that shaped Europe's view of the wider world.