Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, Schleswig 1660 1660

This illustration for Adam Olearius’s “Persianischer Rosenthal,” was created in Schleswig in 1660 by Christian Rothgiesser. It offers a window into 17th-century European perceptions of Persia, now Iran. The print is part of a book that translates and interprets the work of the Persian poet Saadi. Rothgiesser's imagery reflects a European lens, blending imagined Eastern settings with classical architectural elements. The artist attempts to capture the essence of Persian culture through the clothing and groupings of figures, yet these depictions are mediated through European artistic conventions. Consider the power dynamics at play here. Whose story is being told, and for whom? How might this representation reinforce or challenge existing stereotypes? While seemingly distant, this image invites us to reflect on how we represent and understand different cultures, both then and now.