Head of a bearded man with a turban facing right, from the series of 'Small Heads in Oriental Headdress' 1640 - 1650

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, also known as Il Grechetto, created this etching of a 'Head of a bearded man with a turban facing right' as part of his series of ‘Small Heads in Oriental Headdress’. Made in Italy, sometime in the 17th century, this print offers us a glimpse into the European fascination with the ‘Orient.’ At this time, Venice was a major center for trade between Europe and the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the rise of Orientalism in the art world. This interest manifested itself in the garb in which artists dressed their models and other artistic choices. These images reflect the artist’s own social and cultural context. Looking closely, we can trace the histories of trade, cultural exchange, and the social construction of the ‘Orient’ in early modern Europe. As historians, we might consult costume books, travel narratives, and other visual materials to understand the specific meanings that turbans and other forms of ‘Oriental’ dress held for Castiglione and his contemporaries. Only through careful historical research can we hope to understand the complex relationship between art and society in the past.