Gulliver 

Jehan Georges Vibert painted "Gulliver" during a time of increased cross-cultural encounters between Europe and other parts of the world. Here, we see a depiction of the scene from Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," where Gulliver is captured by the Lilliputians. Their elaborate attempts to control this giant, are humorously illustrated. These actions speak to the era's colonial dynamics, where European powers often viewed other cultures as smaller or in need of being managed. Vibert, through his art, reflects on the power dynamics between different groups. Is he celebrating the ingenuity of the small people, or is he pointing out the absurdity of trying to contain someone fundamentally different? The painting invites us to consider how we see and treat those we perceive as different and prompts questions about respect, power, and mutual understanding. It emphasizes the emotional and personal dimensions of encounters across different worlds.