Pleisterstudie van een islamitische galeislaaf 1717 - 1762

Cornelis Joseph d' Heur created this chalk study of an Islamic galley slave. The image resonates with broader themes of orientalism and captivity prevalent in the 18th century. Made in the Netherlands, the drawing depicts a bound figure gazing upwards. The term "Islamic" here may be less about religious identity and more a reflection of the geographic origin of the enslaved, likely captured from Ottoman territories during naval conflicts. The Dutch Republic, a major maritime power, was involved in extensive trade and warfare in the Mediterranean. Studying the figure can provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of trade, slavery, and cultural exchange in this era. To truly understand this piece, one must consult historical archives, naval records, and accounts of the Dutch presence in the Mediterranean. Through such research, we can understand the ways in which images participated in, and commented on, the social structures of their time.