Story Le Rubis Du Grand-lama 

Edouard Riou created this engraving, Story Le Rubis Du Grand-lama, sometime in the late 19th century. It depicts two men in conversation, seemingly examining a small object, perhaps the ruby mentioned in the title. The image creates meaning through its stark visual code. The setting, with its bottles and scientific instruments, suggests a place of research or experimentation. The men's attire and demeanor speak to the cultural norms of the French bourgeois society of the time. As an engraving, this artwork would have been easily reproduced and distributed, reflecting the growing print culture of the era. Was Riou, through his image-making, commenting on the rise of scientific inquiry? Was he reflecting or critiquing the colonial fascination with exotic objects, such as the ruby of the Grand Lama? These are questions a historian might ask. To understand it better, we might consult periodicals, journals, and other printed materials from the time. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context, and our understanding evolves as we continue to research.