Ambassadeur de la Chine, plate fifteen from Caravanne du Sultan à la Mecque 1748

"Ambassadeur de la Chine" is an etching by Joseph Marie Vien, created in 1748. Part of the series "Caravanne du Sultan à la Mecque," this print depicts a Chinese ambassador in traditional garb, including a wide-brimmed hat, a flowing robe, and trousers. The ambassador stands with a sword at his hip and holds a whip in his left hand. The detail of the clothing and the figure's pose highlight the artist's interest in depicting foreign cultures during the Age of Enlightenment, with the artwork providing a glimpse into the fascination with global exploration and cultural exchange in 18th-century Europe.