The early modern period saw the development of global economies and the emergence of colonial imperialism. The works in these galleries speak to issues of cultural contact, the politics of land, and expressions of power. Intersections of different culture groups sometimes resulted in benefits to the parties involved, while other encounters reflect a clash of cultures indicative of imbalanced power relations.
In this room, we see works that bespeak a fascination with cross-cultural exchange. This kind of dialogue can happen on a public scale, as with grand portraiture, or can be maintained quietly by means of private correspondence across long distances.