Oude man met tulband en bontmantel 1761

Valentin Daniel Preissler created this print, “Old Man with Turban and Fur Coat,” sometime in the mid-18th century. During this era, there was increasing trade and cultural exchange between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. This exchange brought new visual motifs into European art. Here, the turban and fur coat are markers of wealth and status. Yet, the man's aged and weathered face tells a different story, one perhaps of hardship or a life lived outside the norms of European society. We see him in profile, his gaze directed away, perhaps indicating a sense of otherness or introspection. The use of light and shadow emphasizes the textures of his skin and clothing, creating a sense of intimacy. This image invites us to consider how identities are constructed and perceived. The exoticism of the turban is balanced by the humanity of the man's face, prompting reflection on the complexities of cultural representation and individual experience.