Het Japanse geestenfeest 1728

"Het Japanse geestenfeest" (The Japanese Ghost Festival) is an etching by Dutch artist Bernard Picart, created in 1728. The print depicts a scene of ritualistic activity in a Japanese city, with figures offering food and drink to the spirits of the deceased. The detailed, almost architectural perspective and the stark black and white tones evoke a sense of mystery and the unknown. This print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, reflects the fascination with Japanese culture in 18th-century Europe and provides a glimpse into Western perceptions of Eastern traditions during that period.