Portret van Guillaume-Thomas François Raynal 1750 - 1791

This is an engraving of Guillaume-Thomas François Raynal by J.F. De La Rue, now in the Rijksmuseum. Raynal was a controversial figure, a French abbot and writer known for his critical views on colonialism and slavery. The image employs visual codes that were popular in the late 18th century. Raynal is depicted in a turban, a common, but exoticizing, way to portray intellectuals or figures associated with the Enlightenment. This artistic choice reflects the period's fascination with the "Orient," a projection of European fantasies. France was a major colonial power at the time. Therefore, Raynal's views would have been quite radical. His most famous work, "Histoire philosophique et politique des établissements et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes," was even banned in France for its criticism of the French colonial system. Historical research using primary sources, such as Raynal's writings and the records of the French court, can help us better understand how art participated in these debates about colonialism and slavery. Art is always tied to its social and institutional context.