Flodbred med orientalsk by 1746

H. Rosenkilde created this etching of an oriental city in the late 17th to early 18th century. The scene presents an imagined vision of the “Orient,” a region that has historically been a site of both fascination and misrepresentation in Western art. Consider the figures in the foreground, dressed in what would have been perceived as “oriental” garb, set against an architectural backdrop that blends European and Middle Eastern motifs. The composition reflects the complex and often skewed perceptions that Europe had towards other cultures. It speaks to a broader history of orientalism, where the East is romanticized but also Othered. While Rosenkilde likely never visited the depicted location, this etching offered viewers a window into a world far removed from their own. It prompts us to consider whose perspectives are valued and how cultural narratives are shaped through art. As you look closer, what do you notice about your own assumptions and expectations of the “Orient”?