Voorbereidingen voor een huwelijk bij oorspronkelijke bewoners van Panama 1723

This print, "Preparations for a Wedding among Native Inhabitants of Panama," was made by Bernard Picart in the early 18th century using etching. It presents an intriguing visual record of indigenous customs in Panama. The print is divided into two scenes: the upper half illustrates the wedding ceremony itself, while the lower half depicts the preparations, with family and friends clearing land for the newly married couple. Created in the Netherlands, it reflects a period of intense European interest in the Americas, fueled by colonial expansion and the desire to document, and often exoticize, the cultures encountered. What's particularly interesting is how Picart, who never actually visited Panama, relied on existing travelogues and second-hand accounts, shaping his portrayal. This reflects a broader European tendency to create representations of the "New World." To fully understand such images, we delve into the history of colonialism, ethnography, and the circulation of information in the early modern period. We can use that information to understand how such images both reflected and shaped European perceptions of the Americas and its people.