Man uit Griekenland 1562

This is "Man uit Griekenland," a 16th-century print by François Desprez, which attempts to capture the image of a Greek woman. The print reflects the early modern European fascination with and interpretation of other cultures. Note how the woman is adorned in what the artist imagines as Greek attire, holding a fan, which might be an attempt to portray elegance or exoticism. During this period, the representation of women from different cultures was often filtered through the lens of European ideals and expectations. There is a tension between the desire to document and the tendency to exoticize or stereotype. The inscription at the bottom in old French gives us a feel for how women were viewed at the time. The artist’s choices shape our understanding and reflect the societal attitudes towards gender and cultural identity. Consider how the representation of "the other" involves both curiosity and a projection of one’s own values.