Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, Schleswig 1660 1660

This woodcut illustration, “Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, by J. Muller, depicts a scene from the Persian poet Saadi’s "Rose Garden." This work is a collection of verses and stories, many of which are centered around the themes of morality and society. The illustration captures this concept through the depiction of a lively gathering of individuals, with the central figure of a man in a hat and robe holding a small object in their hand. This artwork, part of Adam Olearius’s book about his travels to Persia, is a prime example of 17th-century European interpretations of Eastern culture. The detailed depiction of the city's cityscape in the background and the intricate clothing of the figures speaks to the influence of European illustration trends of that era. The black-and-white print adds a layer of depth to the scene and gives the illustration a sense of realism.