Oval medallion with bust of a man with a hanging moustache and a hat with four flaps; the left side of the man's face is seen in profile 1582

Melchior Lorck made this oval medallion with the bust of a man using woodcut techniques sometime in the 16th century. Lorck, a Danish artist working in the Holy Roman Empire, was known for his detailed observation of Turkish life during his travels. The man's exotic hat and moustache suggests an interest in portraying foreign cultures. During the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire was expanding its reach into Europe which meant the imagery of Turkish people became common in Western art. Prints like these were not only artistic expressions, but also served as a form of cultural documentation and commentary. The lack of an explicit date on the print can be an opportunity. Through careful examination of similar images, archival records, and the artist's biography, we can understand its place within the complex cultural and institutional history of early modern Europe.