Portret van Jan III, hertog van Brabant en Lotharingen 1662

Coenraet Waumans crafted this engraving portrait of Jan III, Duke of Brabant and Lotharingen, in the 17th century. Notice the Duke's elaborate turban, adorned with jewels and a plume, a motif that echoes through art history. Such headwear transcends mere fashion; it signifies power and prestige, reminiscent of the turbans worn in Renaissance depictions of Persian kings or even the biblical Magi. This orientalizing trend reflects a fascination with the exotic, often intertwined with notions of wealth and authority. Consider, too, the repetition of this motif in later centuries, perhaps in theatrical costumes or allegorical representations of the Orient. The turban, therefore, becomes a potent symbol, evolving through time, embodying changing attitudes towards the East, and tapping into our collective memory of opulence and command. Its reappearance in various contexts reveals the cyclical nature of cultural symbols, forever adapting and resurfacing in our visual lexicon.