Bearded man, in a furred oriental cap and robe 1770 - 1803

Constantino Cumano created this etching of a "Bearded man, in a furred oriental cap and robe" sometime between 1760 and 1803. Cumano, who was active in Italy, here offers us an intimate, yet distanced, portrayal of a man whose identity seems caught between worlds. During the 18th century, there was a surge of European interest in the “Orient,” often filtered through colonial and orientalist lenses. The man's clothing situates him as "other," yet his gaze and the intimacy of the portrait also humanize him. Is Cumano inviting us to see past the costume, or is he reinforcing stereotypes? The ambiguity lingers. This etching is a reminder of how identity is often constructed and perceived through cultural exchange. It encourages us to consider the complexities of representation, then and now. The emotional depth conveyed through simple lines invites empathy, challenging us to see beyond the exotic to the individual.