Twee ruiters in mantels 1718 - 1781

Christian Rugendas created this print, "Two Riders in Cloaks," sometime in the 18th century. During the 1700s, European artists often created images of people from other cultures. These images were often based on stereotypes, and they were used to reinforce the idea that Europeans were superior to other people. Here, the riders wear cloaks and turbans in an Orientalist style, and in doing so, the image plays into the exoticization of non-European cultures. The riders are positioned outside, as if the open space is the best and only place for them. The image promotes the idea of cultural difference and the power dynamics inherent in how different cultures perceive one another. As you reflect on this image, consider the ways in which it might have shaped the perceptions of people in the 1700s. How do you think this image made people feel about themselves? What did it mean to be European at that time? What did it mean to be non-European?