Exoticism and the Culture of Exploration

Scholars have felt the need to rethink the cultural and intellectual backdrop of the 18th-century cult of the exotic - the accounts of misunderstandings, failed opportunities, and political and cultural imperialism during 18th century exploration and colonization, both in the Pacific and elsewhere. Rethinking the idea, scope, and influence of the exotic-anything that conjures up the notion of the foreign or the strange - these essays reflect intensive research into the cultural impact of the history of exploration and its ramifications for European culture and self-perception. The contributors aspire to give historical context to both real and imaginary encounters, setting them off against cultural traditions and stereotypical views. The essays draw on a wide variety of sources, including art, architecture, scientific and literary works, journals and diaries, the European popular and political press, and European popular culture, to explore 18th-century perceptions of the exotic. The collection thus examines exoticism and the culture of exploration from several angles which demonstrates just how far-reaching the ‘cult of exoticism’ was.