Voorstelling van de god Brahma 1723

Bernard Picart produced this print of the god Brahma in the early 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. The image is a fascinating example of cultural exchange and the European Enlightenment's fascination with other cultures. Picart, working in the Netherlands, likely based his representation on descriptions and illustrations from travelogues and scholarly texts of the time. Notice how Brahma is depicted with a distinctly European physique, reflecting the tendency to interpret foreign cultures through a Western lens. The print also underscores the role of institutions in shaping knowledge. The Dutch Republic, a major center for trade and intellectual exchange, provided the environment for such images to circulate. The Rijksmuseum, as a repository of historical artifacts, allows us to study these representations and understand the complex interplay of cultural understanding, artistic interpretation, and colonial power. By studying the visual codes and historical context, we can better understand the social conditions that influenced the production and reception of this image.