Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, Schleswig 1660 1660

J. Muller created this illustration for Adam Olearius's German translation of Persian poetry in Schleswig in 1660. The image presents us with a scene of courtly life, but look closely and you'll see a violent scene unfolding in the background. The illustration offers a window into 17th-century European perceptions of Persia, now Iran. It's a product of its time, reflecting the complex relationship between Europe and the East during an era of exploration, trade, and conflict. The composition blends real and imagined elements, shaped by both direct observation and prevailing European attitudes toward the East, mediated through texts like Olearius's. To truly understand this illustration, we need to look at its broader cultural and institutional context, comparing it with other images and texts from the period. What was the role of institutions such as museums, galleries, and schools, in shaping the reception of such art? This approach allows us to appreciate the richness and complexity of this image as a historical document.