Portret van Baldassare Castiglione 1682

This is Nicolas de Larmessin's portrait of Baldassare Castiglione, made as an engraving. Notice the subject’s distinctive headwear—a turban-like hat adorned with a jewel. Such hats were not merely fashion statements; they symbolized a connection to the Orient, a region steeped in ancient wisdom and luxury. Turbans appear frequently in Renaissance art, often in portraits of dignitaries, subtly alluding to cross-cultural exchanges and the allure of the exotic. This orientalising motif echoes in other works across time, resurfacing even in later paintings, signifying power, knowledge, and a sense of worldly sophistication. This symbol engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into a collective memory of cultural exchange and perhaps an idealized vision of the 'other.' Its non-linear progression has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.