Persians, from a set of costume plates of different nations 1595 - 1645

This costume plate, titled 'Persians', was etched by Johann Wilhelm Baur in the 17th century, and is now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Baur uses a fine, linear style to depict two Persian figures against a backdrop of distant conflict. Observe the composition. A standing figure, robust and armed, dominates the left, balanced by a seated figure on the right. Baur's lines are economical yet descriptive, delineating the textures of fabric, the sheen of metal, and the contours of the human form. This creates a sense of depth and perspective within a compact space. The visual elements work together to suggest an implied narrative, engaging with early modern Europe’s fascination with and representation of other cultures through costume and appearance. In this print, Baur employs a semiotic system, using clothing and posture as signs to convey cultural identity and status. The formal arrangement is not merely decorative but also functions as a mode of cultural encoding, reflecting the complex interplay of image, identity, and representation in the early modern world.