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Peruvian Eclipse Panic and Antis Ritual Sacrifice – Rare 1734 Ethnographic Print
About the Item
Peruvian Eclipse Panic and Antis Ritual Sacrifice – Rare 1734 Ethnographic Print
This rare 1734 copperplate engraving presents two dramatic scenes interpreting South American indigenous customs, as imagined by European artists of the Enlightenment period. Issued in the influential publication "Les Cérémonies et Coutumes Religieuses de tous les Peuples du Monde," the print combines fascination, exoticism, and artistic invention, reflecting both a desire to document and a tendency to dramatize the unfamiliar.
The upper scene, titled "Désolation des Péruviens pendant l’Éclipse de Lune," shows a moment of communal panic among Indigenous Peruvians during a lunar eclipse. The sky is darkened, and a crescent moon glows above a chaotic landscape of frightened figures. Men and women wave their arms, cry out, and appear to dance in desperation. Goats and dogs add to the commotion. While Indigenous cultures in the Andes did attach spiritual meaning to astronomical events like eclipses, this portrayal exaggerates the reaction through a theatrical lens, echoing European assumptions about non-Christian belief systems.
The lower engraving, "Captif Sacrifié par les Antis," is more unsettling. It depicts a captive bound to a stake and surrounded by members of the Antis tribe—possibly referencing Arawakan-speaking peoples east of the Andes. The figures are muscular, dramatic, and nude or partially clothed, with women and children observing. Several tribespeople participate in the sacrificial act, while others hold ritual items or offer support. The wilderness setting, with dense foliage and tribal implements, frames the event as both barbaric and ceremonial. Though rooted in the European fascination with the “savage,” the scene serves as a historical document of how Enlightenment-era artists viewed and interpreted tribal rituals.
Engraved with strong linework and intricate composition, this print exemplifies the blend of ethnography and fantasy found in early attempts to catalogue world religions. While its interpretations are speculative, it remains an important artifact in the history of visual anthropology.
Condition is good. The impression is strong and detailed. There is moderate age toning and light foxing, particularly along the outer margins. The sheet is stable and untrimmed, with a faint horizontal division between the two scenes.
A tall frame with an off-white mat and simple dark wood surround is recommended.
- Dimensions:Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1730-1739
- Date of Manufacture:1734
- Condition:Condition is good. The impression is strong and detailed. There is moderate age toning and light foxing, particularly along the outer margins. The sheet is stable and untrimmed, with a faint horizontal division between the two scenes.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13806-501stDibs: LU3054345019342
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