Sumatra, from "Jeu de la Géographie" 1644

Stefano della Bella created this print called "Sumatra, from Jeu de la Géographie," which is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The figure is rendered with delicate lines that delineate the contours of her body, clothing, and elaborate headdress, creating a sense of depth and texture, despite the two-dimensional nature of the print. This composition explores how power and identity are constructed through visual representation. The subject, adorned in what appears to be a culturally specific attire, is rendered through the lens of European artistic conventions. The artist uses line and form to convey an exoticism that speaks to the European fascination with the "Orient" during this period. The strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching gives form to the figure and fabric. Ultimately, the visual construction of "Sumatra" is not just an act of representation, but also an act of interpretation and appropriation.