Portret van Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, baron d'Aubonne 1801

Johann Friedrich Bolt created this portrait of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, baron d'Aubonne. Bolt, who lived through the upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including the French Revolution, would have been working in a world steeped in shifting social structures. Tavernier was a 17th-century gem merchant and traveler, whose accounts provided Europeans with their insights into the East. In this light, the portrait operates as a historical document, mediating the legacy of colonialism and the complexities of cultural exchange. Tavernier’s gaze is that of a man who moved between worlds, accumulating knowledge and wealth. Bolt captures this, reflecting the status and privilege inherent in Tavernier's role. This image invites us to reflect on how identities are shaped by movement and encounter, and the lasting impact of historical figures like Tavernier on our understanding of global interactions.