Kop van een man met een bontmuts 1763 - 1833

Jordanus Hoorn created this drawing of a man with a fur hat in the late 18th or early 19th century using pen in brown ink. During this period, there was growing interest in ‘exotic’ cultures, fuelled by increased global trade and colonialism. This drawing reflects that fascination with the ‘Orient’, even if the artist had never encountered such a figure in real life. The fur hat and the man’s features signify otherness. Hoorn was part of a well-established artistic culture in the Netherlands and the cultural institutions of the time were dedicated towards upholding a certain view of the world. Drawings like this offer insights into the social and cultural attitudes of the time. To truly understand this artwork, we might delve into historical archives, examining trade records, colonial documents, and travelogues. Art is always shaped by its social context.