Kopf eines Mannes mit weißem Turban 1774

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this brown wash drawing called "Head of a Man with a White Turban" sometime during his career, but the exact date remains unknown. Fragonard lived in a time when French society was embracing exoticism and Orientalism, which influenced artistic themes and styles. Here, Fragonard’s choice of a turban, a headwear historically worn across various cultures, suggests an exploration of identity through costume. It reflects the period's interest in portraying subjects that evoke a sense of the ‘other,’ or the foreign. Yet, the man's face, etched with lines of age and experience, brings an undeniable humanity to the portrait. Is Fragonard subtly challenging the exoticizing gaze by focusing on the individual behind the costume? Through this drawing, Fragonard invites us to reflect on the complexities of representation, identity, and the human condition. It’s a poignant reminder of the personal stories that exist beyond cultural curiosities.