Artwork
Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left
Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Paul Haubenstricker. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Paul Haubenstricker’s 1775 print, titled Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left, is an etching executed on laid paper. The image presents a solitary figure in profile, the head shrouded by a large fur hat that drapes low over the face. The subject’s gaze is directed slightly away, imparting a quiet, introspective mood to the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts an individual of Eastern appearance, suggested by the term "Oriental," whose identity remains anonymous. The emphasis on the heavy fur headgear and the turned glance may allude to themes of concealment or cultural distinction, inviting viewers to contemplate the figure’s inner life beyond the visible attire.
Technique & Style
Haubenstricker employed a combination of etching and drypoint, allowing the artist to incise deep, ragged lines that convey texture. The fur of the hat and the hair are rendered with dense, overlapping strokes, creating a tactile impression. The overall line quality is rough and expressive, characteristic of late‑18th‑century printmaking practices.
History & Provenance
Created in 1775, the print belongs to the period when European artists frequently produced images of exotic subjects for a market fascinated by the East. Specific details of its ownership history are scarce, but the work survives on laid paper, a common support for prints of the era, indicating it was likely part of a broader series or collection.
Artist & collection
Small Oriental Head
The Second Oriental Head
The Large Heads of Men in Oriental Headdress: A Man Nearly in Profile and Turned to Left
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Small Oriental Head
Bearded Man in a Fur Cap, Facing Left
Head of a Man in Oriental Turban
Bust of a Man with a Fur Cap
Man with a Fur Cap