Stående orientaler med turban og stav. 1609 - 1670

This drawing of a standing oriental figure with turban and staff was made by Karel van Mander III, likely in the mid-17th century. At this time, the Dutch Republic was a major center for international trade and cultural exchange. Depictions of people from other parts of the world became increasingly popular, reflecting a growing awareness of global diversity, even if filtered through the lens of European interests and biases. The figure's exotic attire, especially the large turban, signals an orientalist fascination with the "East". But what does it really mean to portray someone as "oriental"? Is it an attempt to understand and appreciate other cultures, or does it reinforce stereotypes and power dynamics? To understand this drawing better, we could research the history of Dutch orientalism, looking at travel literature, trade records, and other visual representations of non-European people. By examining these social and institutional contexts, we can better understand the complex meanings embedded in this image.