Audiëntie van een prins 1818 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print titled 'Audiëntie van een prins' using etching techniques. The print shows an audience with princes, likely in the Netherlands during a period of increased contact with other cultures and nations. The artwork portrays a meeting between European figures, distinguished by their formal attire, and what appear to be princes from a non-European country, recognizable through their distinct clothing and headwear. This reflects the complex dynamics of cultural exchange and power during the colonial era. Issues of identity, race and class are subtly woven throughout the artwork. The Europeans appear to be in a position of authority, with the princes presented as visitors or supplicants. This dynamic reflects the social hierarchies of the time, where non-European cultures were often perceived through a lens of exoticism and inferiority. The emotional subtext of the print is one of formality and distance. The audience is a staged event, reinforcing the social and political distance between the parties involved. It reflects the broader societal issues of cultural representation, power, and the negotiation of identity in a world increasingly shaped by colonial encounters.