Man met tulband zittend in kleermakerszit en 19 soldaten die allen een fez dragen 1830 - 1845

Henricus Wilhelmus Couwenberg created this artwork, Man met tulband zittend in kleermakerszit en 19 soldaten die allen een fez dragen, with etching. The man sits cross-legged wearing a turban and a fez, each symbol carries potent historical weight. The turban, traditionally a signifier of wisdom and authority, contrasts with the fez worn by the soldiers. The fez emerged as a symbol of modernity and reform during the Ottoman Empire, meant to unify diverse people under a common banner. Yet, such symbols are never static. We see echoes of similar head coverings in various cultural contexts. The turban, for instance, finds relatives in the miters of religious figures across different faiths. The fez, initially a sign of progress, has been accused of forced assimilation and loss of cultural identity. The artist captures a specific moment, but also engages with broader themes of power, identity, and the ever-shifting nature of cultural symbols. Each symbol, therefore, isn't merely a marker of identity, but an emotional and psychological touchstone.