Tusschen de Jaaren 622 en 630 1789 - 1810

This ink drawing, "Tusschen de Jaaren 622 en 630," from an anonymous hand, depicts a scene from the early Islamic conquests. The years noted in the title mark a period of significant geopolitical upheaval, as the emerging Islamic Caliphate expanded its territory. Look at the stark contrast between the triumphant figures on horseback and those who offer palms of peace, set against the bodies of the defeated. Consider the impact of such encounters on the people who lived through them. The artist captures a moment of cultural collision, of shifting power dynamics, inviting us to reflect on the human cost of conquest. It's a potent reminder that history is made not only by leaders and armies but by ordinary people caught in the crossfire. While it's from an anonymous hand, it certainly speaks volumes about the narratives we construct around power, loss, and resistance.