Vorstellung der audienz bey dem iman zu Sana. Illustration til Niebuhrs "Reisebeschreibung nach Arabien", 1. del 1774

Georg Haas created this illustration, "Vorstellung der audienz bey dem iman zu Sana," as part of Carsten Niebuhr's "Reisebeschreibung nach Arabien." This piece offers a glimpse into 18th-century European perceptions of Arab culture and power dynamics. Consider how the architecture, with its high walls and single light source, might evoke feelings of reverence or even intimidation. The arrangement of figures, with the Imam elevated and the audience lined up in rows, speaks to a rigid social hierarchy. As you look, reflect on the cultural exchange happening here. How might Niebuhr's travels and Haas's illustrations have shaped European understandings—or misunderstandings—of the Arab world? It invites us to consider the complex interplay between observation, representation, and cultural interpretation. It is a window into a specific historical moment, inviting us to contemplate the narratives we construct about one another.