Voorstellingen van religieuze plechtigheden bij de Inca's 1723

Bernard Picart created this print, “Representations of Religious Ceremonies among the Incas,” using etching and engraving. These are essentially reproductive media, allowing images to be circulated widely. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the engraver, carefully translating an image onto a metal plate, and the printing press, churning out copies for distribution. The image depicts rituals, described in French below each scene. The tools of etching and engraving, while demanding their own kind of labor, facilitate the objectification of other cultures. The print is thus a product of European expansion. The stark contrast between light and shadow creates a dramatic effect. The sharp lines of the engraving give a sense of precision and detail. This contrasts with the chaotic scenes of ritualistic behavior. It presents a vision of the Inca's as ‘other’ in European eyes, and a reminder that the art and craft of image-making are always tied to power relations.