Sketch of Man in Turban 18th century

This is an anonymous sketch of a man in a turban, rendered in graphite on paper. The turban immediately places the man within a particular cultural or possibly religious context, one that is non-Western, and likely of Middle Eastern, South Asian, or North African origin. Without more information, the significance of the turban remains ambiguous. Is it an ethnographic study, or a more intimate portrait? The sketch raises questions about the relationship between the artist and the sitter, and the power dynamics at play. Was the man a willing participant, or was he rendered as an anonymous, exoticized figure? How does the artist’s own identity and cultural background shape their perception and representation of the sitter? The use of line is tentative, almost searching, inviting us to consider the gaze of both artist and viewer. Ultimately, this sketch encourages us to reflect on the complexities of cultural representation, the politics of looking, and the human desire to connect across difference.