Osman III (1754-1757) 1989

Curator: "Osman III (1754-1757)" by Aldo Mondino from 1989. The artist has used acrylic paint on linoleum, rendering what appears to be a somewhat sardonic portrait of an Ottoman ruler. What's your take on this? Editor: It feels like it's playing with the conventions of power, right? It’s so flat and the colors are very simple, even cartoonish. How should we read this in a contemporary context? Curator: Precisely. Mondino here, I believe, is engaging in a postcolonial dialogue, challenging traditional Orientalist representations. Think about how historical figures are often depicted with gravitas. By using simplistic forms and even leaning into caricature, Mondino questions the authority embedded in those images. He reduces Osman III to an almost iconographic representation, which democratizes and destabilizes historical narratives. Do you think there’s something subversive about the materials themselves? Editor: I do. The use of linoleum, a commonplace material, does contrast sharply with the traditional materials one might expect for a royal portrait. It is a really provocative gesture. Does that suggest anything about the way he views the power dynamics? Curator: Absolutely. It speaks to a deliberate leveling. The choice of materials emphasizes the accessibility and, perhaps, the disposability of historical narratives. He could be commenting on the ease with which historical figures are flattened and consumed. And consider the broader socio-political climate in 1989... Editor: ... the fall of the Berlin Wall. There's a re-evaluation of dominant narratives and power structures that really resonates! Thank you for drawing my attention to these important subtleties in Mondino's work. Curator: Indeed. I think we both now have a refreshed and richer understanding of this piece!