English: VOC representative Isaac Titsingh (1745-1812) was a pioneer in the field of collecting information on Asia. As ambassador, he visited China and Japan. In Japan he held the position of supreme headman or ‘Opperhoofd’ three times. He corresponded in relative freedom with Japanese interpreters and scientists, with whom he exchanged information. In addition, he was the first European to succeed in bringing a large collection of Japanese objects to Europe. Titsingh was inquisitive by nature and had an open mind for new things, which served him well in his career. This picture, taken from Voyage de l’ambassade by A.E. van Braam Houckgeest, features the reception of ambassador Titsingh in the Chinese city of Canton. Titsingh is the figure sitting, with hat (right), and next to him is his colleague Van Braam Houckgeest (left).