Man in Korean Costume 1617

Peter Paul Rubens made this drawing of a man in Korean costume using black chalk sometime in the early to mid-17th century. It’s a striking image because, at the time, European artists rarely depicted people from East Asia. Rubens made this drawing at a time when Europeans were just beginning to learn about Korea through limited contact with Jesuit missionaries and diplomatic exchanges with China, during the late Ming Dynasty. Details in the drawing such as the man’s Po and Gat -- the traditional robe and hat worn by Joseon Dynasty scholars and officials -- offer a glimpse into the cultural nuances of the Korean peninsula. Rubens’ drawing raises questions about cultural representation, orientalism, and the power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural encounters. To delve deeper, scholars might consult period travelogues, diplomatic records, and studies of early modern European perceptions of Asia. Art becomes a window into broader social and political histories, reflecting the complexities of cultural exchange and the construction of identity.