An Oriental Merchant with Merchandise at Riverside 1610 - 1677

Thomas Wijck created this etching titled 'An Oriental Merchant with Merchandise at Riverside' some time in the 17th century, a period when the Dutch were expanding their trade routes, especially with the East. Here, Wijck presents a scene that romanticizes the concept of the ‘Orient’ through the lens of commerce. The merchant, possibly of Middle Eastern or Asian descent, stands amidst goods, becoming a symbol of exotic trade and the exchange of goods between distant lands. This depiction is not just a neutral portrayal, but one infused with the complex power dynamics of the time, where trade was linked to exploration and colonization. It prompts us to reflect on how cultural narratives can be embedded in seemingly simple scenes of trade, and how these narratives have influenced perceptions of the ‘other’ across centuries. Wijck's etching provides insight into the historical relationship between commerce, culture, and the construction of identity during the Dutch Golden Age.