Chinese dokter, zittend in een landschap c. 1731

Francois Boucher made this undated etching, “Chinese dokter, zittend in een landschap,” which translates to “Chinese doctor, sitting in a landscape.” The image is one of many such ‘chinoiserie’ that emerged in Europe, especially France, in the 17th and 18th centuries. These fanciful depictions of China and Chinese culture spoke to a European fascination with the exotic Orient, at a time of increasing trade and colonial expansion. Here, a figure in loose robes sits in a landscape with stylized trees and rocks. Consider the politics of such imagery. The image constructs a vision of China as a distant and almost mythical land. By appropriating and reimagining Chinese imagery, Boucher’s work participates in a broader European project of cultural dominance, reflecting the prevailing social and economic structures of its time. Understanding this print requires delving into the history of European trade with China and the cultural institutions that shaped artistic tastes during the period.