Anacharsis the Scythian (?) 1685 - 1699

This bronze statuette of Anacharsis the Scythian was created by Pierre I Legros in the late 17th or early 18th century. During this time, the figure of Anacharsis, a Scythian philosopher who traveled to Greece in the 6th century BCE, was very popular across Europe. He was seen as a 'noble savage' and was often used as a symbol of wisdom, simplicity, and critique of Western civilization. Legros's Anacharsis offers a glimpse into the European fascination with the exotic 'other' and the construction of identity through cultural appropriation. It is interesting to note that the perception of Anacharsis was often shaped by the political and cultural agendas of the time. The philosopher's pensive gesture invites reflection on the complexities of cultural exchange, and the role of art in perpetuating or challenging stereotypes. What does it mean to create an image of a man who embodies both wisdom and foreignness?