De Turken in hunne huishouding 1875 - 1903

Curator: So, here we have “De Turken in hunne huishouding,” or “The Turks in their household,” a lithograph print dating from between 1875 and 1903 by Jan de Haan. Editor: It’s a fascinating grid of images! Each little scene gives us a glimpse into what someone at the time imagined as typical Turkish life. The colors are soft, almost dreamlike. What jumps out at you when you look at this, from a historical perspective? Curator: It’s that word "imagined" that's key here. We are peeking into a world seen through the lens of Orientalism. These images are less about reality and more about constructing a vision of the "other." Do you notice how each vignette seems to highlight a particular role or stereotype? Editor: Yes! We've got soldiers, scholars, what looks like a Sultan… almost like a catalogue of Turkish figures. Are these representations accurate or exaggerated? Curator: That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? These images were created to be entertaining and "educational" to a Western audience, meaning accuracy often took a backseat to spectacle and reinforcing existing cultural biases. Look at the poses, the clothing… Do you think it strives for neutrality? Editor: Absolutely not. The figures are quite theatrical, almost like actors on a stage. It’s interesting, though – even with its biases, it gives us insight into the mindset of the time. I wouldn't have thought of it as an example of narrative art. Curator: Precisely! It reveals far more about Dutch society's fascination with the "Orient" than it does about actual Turkish culture. See, even problematic art has lessons to teach us.