Hoofd van een zwarte jongeman met tulband met veren 1747

Cornelis Troost created this artwork, "Head of a Black Young Man with Turban and Feathers," with pastel. Notice how Troost uses the soft texture of pastel to create a gentle, almost dreamlike quality. The light seems to diffuse across the surface, enveloping the figure in a serene atmosphere. The composition is structured around a central, symmetrical arrangement, drawing our attention directly to the young man's face. The texture of the turban, adorned with feathers, contrasts with the smoother rendering of his skin, creating a visual interplay between opulence and simplicity. Semiotically, the turban functions as a signifier of exoticism, aligning with the cultural codes of the time. However, Troost's treatment of the subject avoids caricature, instead emphasizing a quiet dignity. The formal tension between the luxurious details and the understated expression invites us to question prevailing notions of representation and identity. This pastel rendering thus destabilizes any fixed meanings, and encourages ongoing dialogue.