Portret van de sultane Rossa 1596

This engraving, *Portret van de sultane Rossa*, was made by Theodor de Bry sometime before his death in 1598. Notice the circular composition framing the sultana, whose regal bearing is juxtaposed with the ornamental, almost chaotic, details surrounding her. This contrast immediately draws our attention to questions of representation and cultural perception. The frame is teeming with symbolic elements—flora, insects, and animals, all meticulously rendered. These elements, while decorative, also act as signs, inviting us to decode their meaning within the cultural context of the time. The text boxes included at the top and the bottom add another layer, presenting the sultana in a way that blends admiration with an exotic 'otherness'. Ultimately, the engraving functions as a complex interplay of image and text, challenging fixed notions and prompting a deeper exploration of how identities are constructed and perceived across different cultural lenses.