Hier hebt gy weêr een Sestiental, / Van Turksche mannen, Turksche vrouwen, / Wil met oplettendheid beschouwen, / En leesd, indien het u geval' 1791 - 1812

This undated print, made by Jacobus Thompson, presents sixteen vignettes of Turkish men and women arranged in a grid. The monochromatic palette and the stark contrast between the figures and the background create a dramatic visual effect. The lines are precise, almost mechanical, giving the scenes a sense of order and control. The composition invites a structuralist reading, reducing individuals to types within a cultural framework. The grid itself acts as a semiotic structure, categorizing and defining the ‘Turksche mannen, Turksche vrouwen’ for the Dutch viewer. Each scene, framed and contained, presents a narrative snapshot, yet the lack of context leaves them open to interpretation, shaped by the viewer’s preconceived notions. Consider how this formal arrangement challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to question the power dynamics inherent in representation and the construction of cultural identity. The rigorous lines and structured layout offer a glimpse into the mindset of a period grappling with encounters with the ‘Other,’ framed not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural discourse on identity and representation.