A Man Wearing a Turban and Armour

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Artist: Karel van Mander III (Dutch, 1607–1670)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 137 × 108 cm
Museum: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Rights: Public Domain Mark

With his hand at his side and an attitude that accentuates the impression of arrogant superiority, this African gentleman is portrayed face on. He looks past us with his head held at a slight angle, accentuating the large pearl earrings and their vertical heft. Studded with gems and feathers, the white turban lights up the darkness, catching our eye. He wears armour and golden insignia reaffirming his status.

An exotic dagger is held in place by a silk sash, while a rapier can be glimpsed at his side. The painting is an example of Karel van Mander III’s Rembrandt-like studies of distinctive characters, a so-called tronie. The model, the turban and other exotic props also appear in other paintings by van Mander, including a series of paintings of motifs from the romantic novel Aithiopika by the ancient Greek writer Heliodorus.