Dertien Turken uit verschillende standen, gekleed volgens de mode van ca. 1580 before 1581

Abraham de Bruyn created this engraving, “Thirteen Turks of Various Classes, Dressed According to the Fashion of ca. 1580,” using the subtractive process of etching into a metal plate. Notice the stark contrast between the dark lines and the blank page; the artist utilized the qualities of this medium to describe the sitters’ garments. The lines not only give form, but also texture, distinguishing between the fabrics of the elaborate costumes. The artist was highly skilled in this technique, which was widely used in the production of prints at the time. The printmaking process allowed for the circulation of images, making it easier for Europeans to document and disseminate information about foreign cultures. As such, this work can be seen in relation to the era’s increased global trade and emergent capitalist systems. By attending to materials, processes, and the print’s social context, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and can challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.