Garde impériale Turque / Keizerlyke wagt der Turken [(...)] 1800 - 1833

Philippus Jacobus Brepols made this print of the Turkish Imperial Guard, Greek Infantry, and Chinese Riflemen in the early 19th century. It was made using an etching technique. The image reflects a period of intense fascination in Europe with the wider world. The orderly rows of soldiers, each meticulously rendered in their distinct uniforms, speak to the rise of ethnographic studies and the codification of cultural identities. The contrast between the exoticized subjects and the regimented European artistic style is notable here. Produced in Turnhout, Belgium, this print likely circulated among a middle-class audience eager to consume images of distant lands. Such images contributed to a broader understanding of global power dynamics. Analyzing prints like this allows us to consider how knowledge of different cultures was produced and disseminated. Further research into the publishing house of P.J. Brepols might reveal the intended audience and broader cultural impact of this image. In this way, we learn about the social life of art.