Inscripties in Arabisch schrift 1777

This print, "Inscripties in Arabisch schrift" featuring Arabic inscriptions, was created by Sebastian Roland. It reflects a moment of intense cultural exchange, or perhaps appropriation, in Europe. Made at a time when European scholars and artists were increasingly interested in the "exotic" cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, it testifies to the burgeoning field of orientalism. It’s important to consider what this kind of representation meant at a time when European powers were expanding their colonial reach. The inclusion of Arabic script might seem like a gesture of respect, but we must ask how that script was understood or perhaps misunderstood by its European audience. To truly understand this work, one would need to delve into the history of orientalism, looking at the ways in which Islamic cultures were perceived and portrayed in Europe. What role did institutions play in shaping these perceptions, and how did these images serve the interests of colonial powers?