Portret van een inwoner van Ombay in Indonesië 1822

This 1822 lithograph by Jacques Etienne Victor Arago depicts a portrait of an inhabitant of the island of Alor, formerly known as Ombay, in Indonesia. The detailed drawing captures the individual's physical features, including their elaborate hairstyle. The inscription "Anthropophage d'Ombay," or "Cannibal of Ombay," highlights the historical perception of certain indigenous cultures in the region, which often reflected European biases and misunderstandings. This piece is a significant example of 19th-century ethnographic art, offering a glimpse into the historical representations and misconceptions surrounding non-European cultures.