Four Orientals seated under a tree. Ink on paper 1661

Rembrandt van Rijn created this ink drawing, "Four Orientals Seated Under a Tree," during the Dutch Golden Age. The sketch exemplifies the cultural fascination with the "Orient" that pervaded 17th-century Europe. It's important to remember that Rembrandt never travelled to the East, so his vision comes from the stories of travellers, merchants, and diplomats returning from the Ottoman Empire and Persia. The men's clothing, turbans, and the accoutrements of coffee service reference a generalized idea of the "Oriental," reflecting the social and economic exchange between Europe and the East. Rembrandt likely drew this sketch from life, perhaps using models in his studio, or basing his figures on drawings and prints that circulated at the time. This wasn't a scientific depiction, but rather an imaginative interpretation of a culture that held great appeal for his Dutch audience. Art historians use a range of sources—travelogues, trade documents, costume books—to better understand the cultural context of the scene. This helps us to understand the political background of the imagery.