Items Similar to Tahitian Grace: 1836 Engraving of a Dancer by Karl Joseph Brodtmann
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Tahitian Grace: 1836 Engraving of a Dancer by Karl Joseph Brodtmann
About the Item
This lithograph by Karl Joseph Brodtmann presents a detailed portrait of a Tahitian dancer. The artwork is part of Brodtmann’s ethnographic series, capturing the attire, posture, and cultural significance of traditional dances in Tahiti, part of French Polynesia. The illustration reflects 19th-century European interest in the "exotic" practices and customs of non-Western cultures.
Description:
The lithograph depicts a Tahitian dancer in full traditional dress, posed gracefully as if in the midst of a dance. The dancer’s expression is serene, and her pose is elegant, with one hand extended outward and the other resting on her hip. Her costume and adornments are richly detailed, reflecting the vibrant cultural traditions of Tahiti.
- Attire: The dancer wears an elaborate skirt made from layers of fabric, possibly resembling the traditional pareu or tapa cloth, draped and flowing down to her feet. Around her waist is a sash, adding a layer of detail to her ensemble. Her upper body is adorned with what appear to be decorative pompons over her chest, and she wears a wide, decorative backpiece, which adds a sense of grandeur to her costume. The backpiece appears to be made from traditional materials like woven fibers or feathers, symbolizing her role as a performer in an important cultural event.
- Headwear: The dancer wears a headdress with intricate patterns and designs, possibly made from woven fabric or adorned with flowers, which was a common practice in Tahitian ceremonial dress. The headdress adds to her regal appearance and highlights the cultural significance of head adornments in Polynesian rituals and performances.
- Pose: Her pose is dynamic yet graceful, capturing the fluidity of movement that is characteristic of Tahitian dance. Tahitian dance, known as ’ōte’a, involves elaborate arm and hand movements, as well as rapid hip movements, and this pose suggests that she is performing one of these traditional dances. Her bare feet are visible, as dancing barefoot is customary in many Polynesian dances.
The lithograph emphasizes both the elegance of the dancer and the cultural importance of dance in Tahitian society, offering European audiences a glimpse into the ceremonial practices of Polynesia.
Maker:
Karl Joseph Brodtmann (1787–1862) was a Swiss lithographer renowned for his detailed illustrations of ethnographic and natural history subjects. His works, widely circulated in Europe during the 19th century, provided visual documentation of various non-Western cultures encountered through exploration and colonialism. Brodtmann’s ethnographic studies, such as this one, were intended to educate European audiences about distant lands and their peoples.
Technique and Style:
The lithograph was created using lithography, a technique that allowed Brodtmann to achieve fine detail and texture in the clothing and adornments of the dancer. His realistic style in this work captures the textures of the flowing fabric, the intricate patterns of the headdress, and the graceful posture of the dancer. Brodtmann’s careful shading emphasizes the three-dimensionality of the figure, giving life to the dancer’s movement and attire.
The overall composition is balanced and harmonious, with the dancer standing on what appears to be a simple wooden platform or stage, further highlighting the figure and her costume without any distractions in the background.
Cultural Context:
Tahitian dance has been a central part of Polynesian culture for centuries, used in religious ceremonies, celebrations, and storytelling. The dancer depicted here likely represents the role of women in these traditional performances, where they would wear elaborate costumes and perform dances that told stories of their gods, ancestors, and nature. Dance in Tahiti was not only a form of entertainment but also a sacred ritual, often performed during important cultural events.
The costume worn by the dancer, with its layered fabrics and intricate headpiece, reflects the artistic craftsmanship of Tahitian society, where costumes were carefully crafted from materials like tapa cloth, feathers, and natural fibers. These elements not only added beauty to the performance but also held symbolic meaning, often associated with fertility, status, or spirituality.
Brodtmann’s depiction of this Tahitian dancer provides European viewers with an image of the elegance and complexity of Polynesian cultural practices, during a time when the West was increasingly fascinated by the "exotic" and distant lands of the Pacific. This portrait contributes to the broader ethnographic documentation of Polynesia, illustrating the importance of dance and ceremony in Tahitian society.
- Dimensions:Height: 12.8 in (32.5 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1836
- Condition:Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Some stains along the right border, not affecting the image. Please study scan carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13176-181stDibs: LU3054341516182
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,442 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllPortraits of Inhabitants of Kamchatka by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
This lithograph, attributed to Karl Joseph Brodtmann, is an example of his ethnographic work, from the 1835 series. It features two individuals labeled as "Bewoners van Kamtschatka" (Inhabitants of Kamchatka), representing the indigenous people of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far east.
Description: This lithograph depicts two portraits, a woman and a man, identified as residents of Kamchatka, a remote and rugged region in the Russian Far East, inhabited by various indigenous groups, including the Koryaks, Itelmens, and Chukchi.
1. The woman (top) wears a traditional headscarf and a loose-fitting, gathered top...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$351 Sale Price
30% Off
Portrait of Native American Tawadanega by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
This lithograph, created by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, depicts Tawadanega, an individual whose name suggests Native American heritage, likely from one of the Eastern Woodlands tribes. Th...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$407 Sale Price
20% Off
A Malaysian Girl Carrying Goods by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
This lithograph, attributed to Karl Joseph Brodtmann, portrays a Malaysian girl engaged in an everyday activity, likely carrying goods using a traditional shoulder pole (yoke). The p...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$407 Sale Price
20% Off
Portraits of Inhabitants of Northwest America by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
This lithograph, by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, is labeled "Bewoners van Noordwest-Amerika" (Inhabitants of Northwest America). It depicts two individuals from indigenous groups likely li...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$333 Sale Price
34% Off
Portrait of Feodor Iwanowitsch, a Kalmyk, by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, Zurich 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
Portrait of Feodor Iwanowitsch, a Kalmyk, by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, Zurich 1836
This lithograph, created by the Swiss artist Karl Joseph Brodtmann in 1836, depicts Feodor Iwanowitsc...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$407 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Figures in Traditional Attire by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
This is a lithograph by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, from his 1836 collection of ethnographic prints. The image depicts three figures identified as "Chinezen" (Chinese), standing in tradit...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
$407 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Karl Joseph Brodtmann Lithographs of Big Cats
Located in New York, NY
Two lithographs depicting a lion and a tiger, by the Swiss engraver Karl Joseph Brodtmann (1787-1862). Originally published in the early 19th Century, these lithographs were printed ...
Category
20th Century Swiss Prints
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$1,800 / set
Pair of 17th Century Engravings of Swedish Kings Karl X & Karl XI
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of fine engravings of two Swedish monarchs by Samuel Blessendorf for Puffendorf’s History of Sweden, in antique birch frames, 1663 and 1696.
Engravings of Swedish King Karl X Gustav (b. 1622 - d. 1660) dated 1663 and his successor, King Karl XI (b. 1655 - d. 1697) from 1696 by Samuel Blessendorf, a Prussian enamel painter and engraver, born in Berlin in 1670. He designed and engraved these portraits for Puffendorf’s History of Sweden by Freiherr Samuel von Pufendorf (1632-1694), Historiographer to King Karl X of Sweden.
Freiherr Samuel von Pufendorf (b 1632 – d 1694) was a German jurist, political philosopher, economist and historian. He was born Samuel Pufendorf and ennobled in 1684 when he was made a baron by Charles XI of Sweden a few months before his death at age 62. Among his achievements are his commentaries and revisions of the natural law theories of Thomas Hobbes...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Swedish Baroque Prints
Materials
Paper
French Napoleon III Engraving “Battle of Marengo” by Jacques-Joseph Coiny
By Louis Aimé Lejeune
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exceptional and unique engraving made by the engraver Jacques-Joseph Coiny, after the painting by Louis-François Lejeune on the Battle of Marengo (1800). Louis-François Lejeune was a...
Category
Antique 1840s Napoleon III Prints
Materials
Fruitwood, Paper
Broadside Dance of Death, “Stirb…”, Conrad Meyer, Master Engraving
By J. Meyer
Located in Norwich, GB
Dance of Death Broadside
Todtentanz Einblattdruck
Meyer, Conrad 1618-1689
Stirb, eh du sterbst, dass nicht verderbst
[Der Todesengel zwischen Laste...
Category
Antique 1650s Swiss Renaissance Prints
Materials
Paper
Brodtmann Howler Monkey Lithograph, 1827
Located in Savannah, GA
Karl Joseph Brodtmann
(Swiss, 1787-1862)
Black howler, Alouatta caraya (Stentor barbatus), male and female.
Lithograph from Heinrich Rudolf Schinz's Illustrated Natural History o...
Category
Antique 1820s Swiss Prints
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Engraving Sneed Park, the Seat of Joseph Jackson Esquire.
By Johannes Kip
Located in Vero Beach, FL
18th Century Engraving Sneed Park, the Seat of Joseph Jackson Esquire.
Hand colored engraving, “Sneed Park, the seat of Joseph Jackson Esquire. Illustration from the second volume o...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Baroque Prints
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off