Tast 1758 - 1774

"Tast," also known as "Le Touché" is an etching by Robert Cooper, likely made in the late 17th or early 18th century. It is a piece that reflects the era's fascination with allegorical representation and the senses. The print depicts a man within an elaborate, decorative frame. The title "Le Touché," French for "the touch," suggests that this work is part of a series representing the five senses. The figure is set against a natural backdrop, but his raised stick and open stance suggest a claim to ownership. Cooper made this print at a time when Europe was expanding its colonial reach. How might the figure's assertive posture allude to the sense of control Europeans sought to exert over new territories and people? Does the elegant frame around the image soften the power dynamics at play here, or does it heighten them by showcasing a desire to "contain" and "display" the world? The work encourages us to reflect on the sensory experiences of encountering new cultures and the complex power relationships inherent in those interactions.