Saracenen (Men and Women) - Erhard Reuwich

A 1486 woodcut by Erhard Reuwich depicting Saracen men and women, originally published in the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam'.

This woodcut originates from the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam', a travelogue documenting a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, published in Mainz in 1486. Erhard Reuwich, a Dutch artist and printer, accompanied the author Bernhard von Breydenbach on this journey. The work is noted for its early attempt at ethnographic observation, capturing the dress and appearance of people encountered during the expedition.

The print depicts a group of five figures identified as Saracens. The composition is arranged in a linear fashion, typical of late fifteenth-century book illustration. Two women stand on the left, one wearing a head covering and the other fully veiled, while three men stand to the right, dressed in turbans and long robes. The men carry swords and bows, suggesting their status or role. The figures are placed upon a simple, undulating ground line, with minimal background detail, allowing the focus to remain on the costume and posture of the subjects.

Reuwich utilised a clear, descriptive line to define the folds of the garments and the textures of the headgear. The woodcut technique requires a deliberate approach to shading, achieved here through parallel hatching. This print provides a glimpse into the European perception of Middle Eastern cultures during the late medieval period. It reflects the curiosity of the era regarding distant lands and the people inhabiting them. As a piece of historical documentation, it offers insight into the visual language used by early printers to communicate foreign customs to a European audience. The inclusion of the title in the upper margin, written in a cursive script, is characteristic of the period's editorial practices for printed volumes.