Persians in Bombay 1878

Émile Bayard created this engraving, titled "Persians in Bombay," likely during the late 19th century. This work offers us a glimpse into the cross-cultural encounters of the time, against the backdrop of British colonial India. Bayard's image captures a moment of cultural exchange, but it also invites us to consider the power dynamics at play. As a European artist, Bayard was working within a colonial context that often exoticized and othered non-Western subjects. The sitters’ clothing and stature are carefully rendered, possibly to convey an air of authenticity and cultural specificity. Consider how these figures are presented: what stories do their garments, headwear, and demeanour tell? And what assumptions might a European audience at the time have made about them? The work serves as a reminder of how cultural representation is always shaped by the perspectives and biases of the artist and the historical context in which they operate.