The Toilet of the Princess (from a pair of Indo-Chinese scenes) 1690 - 1715

This wool tapestry, "The Toilet of the Princess," was designed around 1730 by John Vanderbank the Elder. Tapestries like this reveal much about European attitudes toward Asia during the eighteenth century. Notice the imagined scenes of courtly life. The landscapes, architecture, and figures are a pastiche of different Asian cultures, reflecting a European fascination with the "Orient" that was fueled by trade and colonialism. In reality, tapestries such as this adorned the homes of the British upper class, who bought into a narrative of exoticism and luxury. They are far removed from the realities of life in the countries they depict. By studying trade routes, colonial records, and the biographies of artists and patrons, we can better understand the complex social and economic forces that shaped this artwork. The meaning of art shifts as our understanding of its context evolves, reminding us that history always influences what we see.