Head of a man wearing a turban 17th century

This is a drawing of a man’s head wearing a turban, held at the SMK in Denmark, made with black chalk. The composition is dominated by the head’s profile, meticulously rendered with careful shading. The artist’s skillful use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, highlighting the planes of the face and the folds of the turban. The grainy texture of the chalk enhances the softness of the skin, contrasting with the complex fabric wrapped around the figure's head. The drawing's semiotic structure invites us to consider the role of costume in signalling cultural identity. The turban, a visual signifier, places the subject within a specific cultural context, prompting questions about representation and the gaze. Is it a study of the ‘exotic’ or does it challenge established categories of identity? The artwork's formal qualities—its play of light and shadow—function not merely aesthetically but as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse. The man's gaze leads to ongoing interpretation.