Orientalsk gårdanlæg 1668

"Orientalsk gårdanlæg" (Oriental Courtyard), an etching by Danish artist Christian Rothgiesser (1600–1659) from 1668, depicts a walled courtyard with several buildings within. The artist's depiction of a foreign, exotic location is typical of the period, reflecting European fascination with other cultures during the 17th century. The detailed, meticulously crafted etching shows a diverse array of activities taking place within the courtyard, including people working, traveling, and interacting. The title and annotations on the print, including "a Kiche" (church), "b. Iwohn hauß" (living house), and "c. Pack hauß" (warehouse), provide insights into the intended purpose of the various structures. "Orientalsk gårdanlæg" is a striking example of European visual representations of the East, which often reflected cultural curiosity and fascination with the "other."