A Polander standing with his stick: profile to the right 1807

Ignace-Joseph de Claussin made this small etching of a Polish man, or ‘Polander’ as they were known, some time between 1810 and 1844. The image speaks to a long history of cultural exchange and the fascination with foreign cultures, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. ‘Polander’ was a common term, often used in theatrical and literary contexts to denote a figure from Poland, frequently depicted with distinctive clothing such as the feathered cap and the ‘kontusz’ coat. We can look to sources such as costume books, travel literature, and popular prints to see how national identities were constructed and circulated. Claussin’s print, though small, participates in this broader visual culture, reflecting both an interest in and perhaps a romanticized view of Polish identity. By studying such images, we can better understand the social dynamics of the time and how different cultures perceived one another.