"Tarku" 1647

This anonymous line engraving depicts the city of Tarku in Dagestan, though its exact date of creation remains unknown. The scene is a bird's eye view of the city, surrounded by mountains and filled with dwellings. In the foreground, we see groups of people and soldiers gathered near what appears to be a harbor. Given the detailed rendering of the city and its fortifications, it is likely that this print was created for strategic or documentary purposes. The depiction of the local population invites questions about the portrayal and representation of non-European cultures in European art. How does the artist depict the people of Dagestan, and what assumptions or stereotypes might be present? This image, while seemingly objective, may reflect the biases and power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural encounters. "Tarku" reminds us that every image, regardless of its apparent objectivity, is shaped by the cultural context in which it was created. It invites us to consider the perspectives and intentions of the artist and how the piece might have shaped European perceptions of Dagestan and its people.