Parthische ruiter 1577

This print, *Parthische ruiter* by Abraham de Bruyn, was made in the late 16th century. It depicts a Parthian horseman, an image that encapsulates the fraught relationship between Europe and the East. Bruyn, a Northern Renaissance artist, created this print during a time of increasing global awareness and, simultaneously, growing cultural biases. The Parthians, known for their skilled cavalry, were often viewed through a lens of Roman and later European, perspectives. They were seen as both exotic and a threat. Notice the decorative border of fruits, flowers, and animals. These elements speak to a European fascination with the abundance and perceived ‘otherness’ of the East. How does this contrast to the rider, who is actively engaged in war? This image invites us to consider how historical depictions can shape perceptions of entire cultures, often reducing complex histories to simplistic, and biased, narratives.