Rouwstoet van een vooraanstaande Chinees 1729

Bernard Picart created this print, "Mourning Procession of a Prominent Chinese Man," sometime between 1696 and 1733 using etching and engraving techniques. Prints like this one offered Europeans a glimpse into what they imagined Chinese society to be like. It's important to remember that this image reflects European perceptions and fantasies about China, not necessarily its reality. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Europe was fascinated by what it considered the exotic and mysterious East. The grandeur of the funeral procession, with its elaborate rituals and large entourage, speaks to the social hierarchy and the importance of status in Chinese society. It is important to consult historical texts, travelogues, and studies of cultural exchange to understand the complex relationship between Europe and China during this period, and to interpret images like this one with a critical eye. Art history is always contingent on wider social and institutional contexts.