Roxelana 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this print of Roxelana, a woman of the Ottoman court, using etching, a technique that allows for precise and intricate linework. Notice the composition, divided into distinct zones. At the top, Roxelana is rendered with delicate lines that capture the texture of her garments and the elaborate feather in her hair. Her figure is almost sculptural, set against the stark background. Below, the text functions as a structural base, grounding the image, and adding layers of meaning through language. The contrast between the detailed figure and the textual base creates a visual tension. The print invites us to decode its signs. The contrast between the image of Roxelana and the text below underscores how identity is constructed through both visual representation and narrative. It challenges fixed meanings, suggesting that our understanding of historical figures is always mediated and open to interpretation.