Animals and Attributes from Chinese and Japanese Mythology, Bernard Picart (workshop of), 1728
etching, h 335mm × w 218mm More details
Here Picart illustrated Chinese and Japanese versions of traditional mythological creatures from Central and East Asian cultures. Among them are lions, dragons, and phoenixes, as well as a Qilin. These mythical animals held imperial and religious significance and were considered sacred. Such illustrations bear witness to the Eurocentric perspective, demonstrating how Amsterdam book printers attempted to capture a culture unknown to them.
