Three Dromedaries 1620 - 1943

"Three Dromedaries" was etched by Rembrandt van Rijn in Amsterdam in 1653. During the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, the Dutch East India Company expanded trade routes which allowed for the circulation of goods and images. The exoticism of the camels is heightened by the figures who accompany them. The Western gaze exoticized non-Western people and cultures, often portraying them as 'other'. Rembrandt's work is not just a neutral depiction, but an interpretation through a Western lens. The loose etching style adds to the sense of immediacy, almost like a quick sketch capturing a fleeting moment. The cultural and economic exchanges of Rembrandt's time, as well as the power dynamics they represented, deeply resonate within this piece. It invites us to reflect on the complexities of cross-cultural encounters, encouraging a deeper understanding of historical and cultural contexts.