The Four Continents

Inspired by printed cottons from India, European manufacturers began printing textiles from copper plates in the 1750s. Originating in Ireland, the technique quickly spread to France where it flourished. Here, Jean-Baptiste Marie Huet I depicted female personifications of the four continents alongside their native flora and fauna. Although the artist based the plants and animals on real specimens observed at the Royal Botanical Gardens, he derived the personifications from racist stereotypes that imagined Europe as culturally superior: while Europe sits enthroned with symbols of the arts and knowledge at her feet, Africa wears an elephant headdress, America hunts an alligator, and Asia prays to a false god.

A vertically oriented, copperplate printed textile features a dense pattern of repeating dark brown vignettes against a cream background. Figures riding an alligator near a palm tree populate the left, while central scenes show individuals seated beside a camel and horse. Elephants, lions, and ostriches wander amidst foliage rendered with fine, cross-hatched lines. These vignettes form undulating horizontal rows that wind across the fabric, creating a rich, textured surface.

The Four Continents

1790

Christophe Philippe Oberkampf, Jean-Baptiste Marie Hüet

(French, 1738–1815), (French, 1745–1811)

France, 18th century

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