Depiction of the Dahomey Amazons by Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, c. 1797
Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur (1757-1810) was a French artist and ethnographer who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was known for his illustrations of people and cultures from around the world, including Africa.
One of his most famous works is a series of illustrations of the Dahomey Amazons, which he created in the late 18th century. The illustrations depict the Amazons in their military attire, including their distinctive skirts made from animal hides, breastplates, and headdresses adorned with cowrie shells and feathers. Some of the women are shown carrying weapons such as spears or swords, while others are shown playing musical instruments or dancing.
Grasset de Saint-Sauveur’s illustrations of the Dahomey Amazons are considered important historical documents because they provide a detailed visual representation of the women warriors and their traditional dress and weapons. They also reflect the interest of European artists and ethnographers in the people and cultures of Africa during the Age of Exploration.
Today, Grasset de Saint-Sauveur’s illustrations of the Dahomey Amazons can be found in museum collections and art archives around the world, and are studied by scholars of African history and culture.