Les divers pourtraicts et figures IX c. 1600

"Les divers pourtraicts et figures IX" was engraved by Master AD sometime between 1520 and 1660. Here we see the European imagination grappling with the discovery of the Americas. The figures, framed by classical arches, are adorned with feather skirts and headdresses, carrying clubs and primitive weapons. These are images of the "New World" filtered through European eyes, reflecting a mixture of fascination and fear. This print participates in a broader visual culture that shaped European perceptions of indigenous peoples. The artist seems to reference classical antiquity to frame the ‘new world’. The figures are muscular, echoing classical ideals, yet their attire and activities mark them as 'other'. This juxtaposition highlights the way Europeans sought to understand the unfamiliar through familiar frameworks, simultaneously exoticizing and subjugating the inhabitants of newly colonized lands. As art historians, we examine such images critically, considering the power dynamics they embody. By studying historical texts, maps, and travel accounts, we can better understand the complex interplay of cultural exchange, colonialism, and representation in this pivotal period.