Rue Longue 19th-20th century

Cadwallader Washburn created this print, Rue Longue, using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. The scene depicts a street in what was then French Indochina, modern day Vietnam. The visual language of the print speaks to a moment of increasing French presence in Southeast Asia, with architectural styles and the presence of power lines signaling this colonial influence. Washburn renders the scene with detailed but loose lines, contrasting with the more photographic, documentary images coming out of the region at the time. Instead, he evokes a particular feeling, one perhaps akin to a tourist passing through the area. As historians, understanding the complex politics of colonialism is key when considering images such as this one. Resources such as colonial archives, travel logs, and even literature from the period can all help in deciphering the many layers of cultural meaning embedded in this print.