Balthasar, after figure in "The Adoration of the Magi" by Jacques Bellange 1610 - 1650

This engraving of Balthasar after Jacques Bellange was made by Matthäus Merian the Elder in the 17th century. The image is derived from a larger scene representing the Adoration of the Magi, a common subject in European art that carries with it centuries of cultural and political associations. Consider the role of the church as an institution and the politics of imagery. Made in Europe at a time of exploration and colonization, this image exemplifies the European fascination with exoticism, and the dress and bearing of Balthasar reflect the cultural biases of the time. The politics of display and representation were linked to the maintenance of social hierarchies. Art historians would research period documents to reveal the context in which such images were made and viewed.