Armeense geestelijken en een Armeense bruid en bruidegom 1732

This engraving by Bernard Picart, made around the early 18th century, presents us with four distinct scenes of Armenian life, neatly arranged within a structured composition. The use of line is dominant, defining the figures and their settings with clarity and precision, while the monochromatic palette emphasizes form and texture. Picart’s arrangement into quadrants invites a comparative reading. The upper panels depict Armenian clergy against open landscapes, emphasizing their religious authority and connection to place. In contrast, the lower panels show a bride escorted by matrons and a groom with his companion, set against architectural backdrops. This juxtaposition creates a semiotic interplay between the sacred and the secular, the public and the private. The ordered layout and the contrasts within this print not only provide a glimpse into Armenian customs but also reflect the Enlightenment’s interest in cataloging and understanding different cultures through a rational, visual framework.