The fourth oriental head after 1635

This etching titled "The fourth oriental head" was created by an anonymous artist and is now held at the Rijksmuseum. The visual style and the use of the term "oriental" tells us this probably originated in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. The image is interesting because it tells us about the history of institutional collecting and display. During the 17th century, Dutch society was being transformed by global trade networks. The Dutch East India Company was one of the most important actors in global trade. The increased circulation of commodities and people from around the world influenced the way Europeans saw the world. This can be seen in this artwork in the style of dress that is described as "oriental." This leads us to consider the role of the museum as a site of cultural exchange. The study of historical artifacts in institutions like the Rijksmuseum, combined with an understanding of social and economic history helps us to think critically about the politics of representation.