Ceremonie in China 1837

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, Ceremonie in China, using etching and engraving techniques. The print illustrates a formal ceremony with an emphasis on hierarchical space. The composition is structured around a stark contrast between light and shadow, drawing our eyes to the figures kneeling before the emperor, who is enthroned under a large, ornate canopy. The architectural setting, with its grand arches and receding perspective, amplifies the scene's theatricality. This approach to composition and perspective serves not only to depict the event, but also to establish a clear power dynamic. Last's work thus engages with the semiotics of space and power, echoing broader cultural codes of hierarchy and representation in 19th century European art.