Gitaar spelende 'Azamoglan' of 'Jamoglan' 1555 - 1568

Léon Davent made this print of a guitar-playing 'Azamoglan' or 'Jamoglan' in the mid-16th century. It offers insights into the cultural exchanges and perceptions of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. In the 16th century, Europe's fascination with the Ottoman Empire was growing and this print reflects that interest. The figure is depicted in what Europeans imagined to be Ottoman attire, complete with a tall hat, playing a guitar. This image is part of a broader trend of Orientalism, where European artists portrayed Middle Eastern cultures through a lens of exoticism. Prints like these served a public role, shaping European audiences' understanding, or misunderstanding, of other cultures. To truly understand this print, we can research costume books and travelogues from that era. These resources help us understand the complex relationship between artistic representation, cultural exchange, and the politics of imagery in 16th-century Europe.