In approaching the topic of body art it is crucial to attend to the observers as well as the observed. Representations of exotic bodies have served, not only in the West, as a way for people to define themselves in contrast to, or in imitation of, others. Such representation serve to define cultural hierarchies, challenge social norms, express desire, and ostracize others. It is in this context that this paper examines images of the Mangbetu in the West and images of Westerners in Mangbetu society. The paper considers the way the representation of the body shaped the dialogue of colonialism in the Congo in the early and mid-twentieth century.