Interieur van een Japanse tempel 1726

Bernard Picart made this print, "Interior of a Japanese Temple," sometime between 1673 and 1733. The image offers a glimpse into how early 18th-century Europeans perceived cultures foreign to their own. Picart, who never visited Japan, relied on descriptions and imagery brought back by travelers and traders. Note the blending of accurate details with imaginative elements that reflect European expectations of the "exotic" East. The scene depicts worshippers in a grand temple adorned with numerous idols, a portrayal that both captures and perhaps exaggerates the perceived polytheism of Japanese religious practices. What does it mean to depict a culture through the lens of another? Consider how power dynamics shape representation and understanding, and how these early images may have influenced Western attitudes towards Japan and its people. This print invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural exchange and the challenges of representing “otherness.”