Tre orientalere 1480 - 1500

Editor: This is “Tre orientalere,” or “Three Orientals,” an engraving dating back to somewhere between 1480 and 1500, created by an anonymous artist. The figures have such strong individual expressions! What captures your attention in this print? Curator: Well, my dear, it’s like stepping into a costume drama staged with the sharpest wit. What amuses me most is the collision of worlds. You see, "Oriental" back then wasn't just about geography, but a theatrical space where European fantasies played out. Notice their attire. How does it blend genuine cultural elements with pure invention, almost like characters in a play, don’t you think? What I really muse about is why these figures where considered intriguing. What do you see? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective! I was focused on the linear detail. The way the lines create texture in the turbans and fur…it’s incredible for an engraving. Did they have a specific function at the time? Curator: Oh, certainly! Think of these prints as early postcards, circulating ideas about far-off lands. "Exotic" people became collectors' items, didn’t they? Reproducible, portable, endlessly fascinating…But what's more interesting is the "gaze." Who are these images for? Are we laughing with them, or at them? That question feels particularly spicy. Editor: I see what you mean. I hadn't thought about the audience influencing the image itself. Curator: Precisely! It's a dance, isn't it? And in this case, the music is rather complex, tinged with curiosity, prejudice, and maybe even a little fear. A potent combination if you ask me. Editor: This has completely changed how I see the work! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. It makes me want to imagine myself travelling back in time to walk alongside this artist and share visions, just for a day... Wouldn't that be marvellous!