Russische abt 1765

Editor: Here we have Jean-Baptiste Leprince’s 1765 engraving, "Russische Abt," or "Russian Abbot" housed at the Rijksmuseum. It's a detailed portrait of a clergyman, quite small, and done in an old engraving style that gives it an air of seriousness. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: What immediately comes to mind is the way Leprince situates this figure within the visual language of the 18th century's fascination with the ‘exotic’ other. Given Russia's increasing political influence in Europe at the time, how do you think this image plays into the construction of Russian identity for a Western audience? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. It feels almost documentary, but I see what you mean. The clothing, the beard... it's playing into a certain image, right? Curator: Precisely. Consider the context of the Enlightenment. There's a simultaneous desire for empirical accuracy and a tendency to categorize and even stereotype based on perceived differences. Do you see any evidence of that tension here? The books? The Globe? What do you think is being presented about the sitter's personality? Editor: Well, he's next to books and a globe, suggesting he’s learned or worldly… but his specific cultural identity is very highlighted by the clothing and beard that you mentioned earlier, perhaps overshadowing his individual character. Curator: Exactly. So, in that tension we find how the work embodies colonial ways of seeing and ordering the world. Understanding these portrayals helps us dissect power dynamics embedded in the representation of culture. It goes beyond mere aesthetic appreciation, leading us to critical reflection about the society. Editor: That’s fascinating! I see this print with entirely new eyes. Curator: Hopefully you can start recognizing that intersectionality, which permeates even seemingly simple portraiture.