HARVARD - Imagine Me and You unveils the vibrancy of multicultural exchange between the Low Countries (roughly modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands), then part of the Habsburg empire, and the Islamic world, in particular the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires that concurrently controlled much of Central and Southeast Europe, North Africa, and South, West and Central Asia. Prompted by the rich diversity of these empires, the exhibition explores a wide range of artistic, cultural, diplomatic, and mercantile interactions that took place either in person or through the peaceful exchange of objects, art, and ideas over the course of three centuries. This exhibition disrupts the persistent notion that war—in particular, religious strife between Christians and Muslims—dominated interactions between the Low Countries and the Islamic world.

Imagine Me and You traces these multiple encounters through the world of Netherlandish artworks and their varied representations of the Islamic realm. Looking also at the ways in which contemporary Ottoman fashion played a role in biblical and historical scenes by Netherlandish artists, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the profound impact these interactions have had on crafting our shared history. This dynamic interplay between cultures unearths revelations about individual heritage and the broader global community. While acknowledging the complexity of establishing the origin of certain hybrid objects, the exhibition ultimately suggests that it is more important to amplify and celebrate these objects’ multicultural and multifaceted characteristics.

The approximately 120 objects in the exhibition include drawings, prints, paintings, textiles, and more; the works come from the collections of the Harvard Art Museums as well as from the Maida and George Abrams Collection, The Tobey Collection, other Harvard institutions, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In addition to sumptuous textiles and striking wool carpets from Türkiye (Turkey) and intricate album paintings from the Ottoman and Mughal periods, there is a range of drawings and prints from Dutch, Netherlandish, and other artists, including Margaretha Adriaensdr. de Heer, Haydar Reis, Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Melchior Lorck, Nicolas de Nicolay, Lucas van Leyden, Jacob Marrel, Rembrandt, and many more. A display of historical pigment samples sheds light on some of the materials these artists used.

Curated by Talitha Maria G. Schepers, 2022–24 Stanley H. Durwood Foundation Curatorial Fellow, Division of European and American Art, Harvard Art Museums.

May 18, 2024–August 18, 2024, University Study Gallery, University Research Gallery, University Teaching Gallery, Harvard Art Museums.

Melchior Lorck, Danish (Flensburg, Germany 1526 or 1527 - after 1588 Silesia(?)), Ismael, Ambassador to Persia at the court of Sultan Suleiman II, 1562. Engraving on cream antique laid paper. sheet: 40.7 × 28 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gray Collection of Engravings Fund, G4784. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

Zacharias Blyhooft, Dutch (active by 1658 - d. 1680 or 1682), Pergon Claermont, 1670. Opaque and transparent watercolor with touches of black chalk on off-white antique laid paper, 30 × 18.2 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 1.2018.28. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Pieter Holsteyn II, Dutch (Haarlem, Netherlands 1614 - 1673 Haarlem, Netherlands), Koornhert, 17th century. Transparent and opaque watercolor on cream antique laid paper, 31.5 × 20.8 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 1.2018.87. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Pieter Holsteyn II, Dutch (Haarlem, Netherlands 1614 - 1673 Haarlem, Netherlands), A Tulip (Vroege Perregon), 17th century. Transparent and opaque watercolor, and graphite on off-white antique laid paper, 31.8 × 20.2 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 7.2019.17. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Jacob Marrel, Dutch (Frankenthal 1613/14 - 1681 Frankfurt am Main), A Red and White Striped Tulip (Proncker), 17th century. Transparent and opaque watercolor, gray ink over graphite on parchment, 22.5 × 16.3 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 7.2019.23. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Jacob Marrel, Dutch (Frankenthal 1613/14 - 1681 Frankfurt am Main), Four Tulips, c. 1637-1645. Opaque and transparent watercolor over graphite on parchment, 34.5 x 45 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 1.2018.103. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Jacob Marrel, Dutch (Frankenthal 1613/14 - 1681 Frankfurt am Main), A Red and White Striped Tulip (Admiral Victor), 17th century. Transparent and opaque watercolor on parchment, 22.8 × 16.4 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Promised Gift, 7.2019.24. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Jan Verkolje I, Dutch (Amsterdam 1650 - 1693 Delft), Portrait of a Navigator by a Table, 17th century. Brown ink and gray wash with touches of graphite on cream antique laid paper, 26.4 x 22.1 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Loan from Kathryn K. Robinson, 57.2001. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Albrecht Dürer, German (Nuremberg 1471 - 1528 Nuremberg), The Cannon, 1518. Etching on white antique laid paper; sheet: 21.6 x 31.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Anonymous Loan in honor of Jakob Rosenberg, 30.1979. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Tile Fragment with Carnations and Tulips, Ottoman period, 17th century. Fritware, 25 x 11.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Bequest of Henry W. Haynes, 1912, 1922.84. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Portrait of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Mughal period, 17th-18th century. Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; 36.4 x 24.4 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. Denman W. Ross, 1920.25. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Adriaen Isenbrant, Netherlandish (c.1480/90 - 1551), The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with Three Female Saints: Ursula, Margaret of Antioch, and an Unidentified Martyr, c. 1520. Oil on cradled panel, 42.6 x 31.5 cm; frame: 57.3 x 44.5 x 5.3 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Bequest of Nettie G. Naumburg, 1930.197. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

? Gentile Bellini, Italian (Venice, Italy 1429 - 1507 Venice, Italy), Standing Woman; verso: Turbaned Figures Standing and Sitting, 15th century. Brown ink and brown wash on cream antique laid paper; verso: brown ink and black chalk; 18.1 × 10.3 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Bequest of Charles A. Loeser, 1932.314. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam), Portrait of Aurangzeb (after a Mughal painting), c. 1655. Brown ink, brown wash, black chalk and white opaque watercolor on Asian paper; later additions in gray wash and scratchwork, framing line in brown ink, mounted overall; 18 x 7.3 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Bequest of Charles A. Loeser, 1932.366. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Hans Burgkmair the Elder, German (Augsburg 1473 - 1531 Augsburg), Head of a Bearded Man Wearing a Turban, c. 1520. Charcoal on off-white antique laid paper; 23.9 x 17.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of The Honorable and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, 1936.124. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Jamal Ibn Muhammad, Virgin and Child with Two Angels, c. 1630-1650. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; image proper: H. 17.8 × W. 10.2 cm, folio: H. 32.4 × W. 20.7 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Grenville L. Winthrop, Class of 1886, 1937.15. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Attributed to Okumura Toshinobu 奥村利信, Japanese (active 1717 - 1750), Dutch Woman (Oranda nyonin, Juffrouw van Hollad), 18th century, Edo period, 1615-1868. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; dai ōban: H. 43 × W. 31.4 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Miss M. M. Newell, 1942-255. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Unidentified Artist, Draw-top Table, Dutch, early 17th century. Walnut with a parquetry frieze; 78.7 x 121.9 x 68.6 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop, 1943-1587. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Prayer Carpet, Turkish, 1850-1900. Wool warp, weft and pile; 170 x 124 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop, 1943-1785. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Lotto Carpet, Turkish, Ottoman period, 18th century. Wool warp, weft and pile; 189 x 127 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Museum Collection, 1978-95. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Lotto Carpet, Turkish, Ottoman period, 18th century. Wool, 175.26 x 121.92 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Museum Collection, 1978-97. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Album Page with a European Drawing of a Horse, Ottoman period, 16th-17th century, opaque water color and gold on paper, black ink and gray wash (horse). Drawing: 11.8 x 15.9 cm; Page: 20.5 x 33 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, John Witt Randall Fund, 1952-96. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Haydar Reis (called Nigari), Turkish (1494 - 1574), Portrait of Francis I, King of France (after J. Clouet), Ottoman period, 1566-1574. Opaque watercolor on paper, 22.4 x 12.6 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.214.A. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

School of Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam), Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dreams, 17th century. Brown and black ink, gray wash, and black chalk, on cream antique laid paper, with a framing line in brown ink, 20 × 30.7 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Paul J. Sachs Memorial Fund and Alfred Bader Fund, 1981.126. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Haydar Reis (called Nigari), Turkish (1494 - 1574), Portrait of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (after Cranach?), Ottoman period, 1566-1574. Opaque watercolor on paper, 22.9 x 12.8 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.214.B. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Portrait of Sultan Selim II (r. 1566-1574), folio from an album, Ottoman period, c.1610. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 35.2 x 20.6 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.217. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Turkish Bride, folio from an album, Ottoman period, 17th century. Opaque watercolor on paper, 20.3 x 14.9 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.245. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Two Dervishes or Qalandars, c. 17th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22.5 x 15.1 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.249. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Unknown Artist, European Print (painting, verso; calligraphy, recto), folio from an album, late 16th century. Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 34 x 21.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Fund for the Acquisition of Islamic and Later Indian Art, The Discretionary Fund of the Islamic Department and the Fund for Indian Music, 1986.377. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Velvet with Tulips and Carnations in Ogival Lattice, Turkey, Ottoman period, c. 1550-1650. Cut velvet with silver and silver-gilt thread, 64 x 46 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.298. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Velvet cushion cover, Turkey, Ottoman period, c. 1675-1725. Cut velvet with silver and silver-gilt thread, 109 x 61 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1985.300. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

A Panel of Ottoman Velvet in Green and Gold, Ottoman period, 16th-17th century. Silk velvet brocade with metallic wrapped thread, 160.02 x 60.96 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection of Turkish Art at the Harvard Art Museums, 1995.825. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Aubergine Robe decorated with Swaying Vine Motif, Ottoman period, 18th-19th century. Silver and silver gilt threads; silk satin ground, 125.6 x 178 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of the Estate of Margaret F. Schroeder, 1999.323. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Govert Flinck, Dutch (Cleves 1615 - 1660 Amsterdam, Netherlands), Man in Middle Eastern Costume Standing in a Landscape, 1638. Black chalk on parchment, 15.2 × 11 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1999.123.46. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, Dutch (Amsterdam, Netherlands 1621 - 1674 Amsterdam, Netherlands), A Seated Man in Middle Eastern Costume, c. 1646. Black chalk and gray wash on cream antique laid paper, framing line in brown ink, 23.1 x 13.5 cm. The Maida and George Abrams Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2009.203. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Balthasar Jenichen, German (active 1560 - 1621), Equestrian Portrait of Sultan Selim II (1524-74), son of Suleiman the Magnificent, 1568. Etching on off-white antique laid paper; sheet (cut to image): 24.8 x 19.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Acquisition Fund for Prints, 2010.595. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Nicolaus Andrea, German (Flensburg, Germany active 1573-1606), Aegidius (Gilles) de Noailles, French Ambassador in Constantinople, 1578. Engraving on cream antique laid paper; sheet: 16.8 × 13 cm, plate: 16.5 × 12.8 cm, overall: 23.5 × 17 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Jakob Rosenburg Fund, 2011.107. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Melchior Lorck, Danish (Flensburg, Germany 1526 or 1527 - after 1588 Silesia(?)), Ogier Ghiselin de Busbec, 1557. Engraving; sheet: 12.4 × 9 cm, overall: 14.5 × 10.5 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Acquisition Fund for Prints, 2014.415. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Melchior Lorck, Danish (Flensburg, Germany 1526 or 1527 - after 1588 Silesia(?)), Turkish Rider, 1582, printed 1626 or 1646. Woodcut on cream antique laid paper; overall: 21.7 × 17.3 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Acquisition Fund for Prints, 2014.416. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Crispijn de Passe I, Dutch (Arnemuiden, Zeeland 1564 - 1637 Utrecht). Possibly after Unidentified Artist, Three galleys; Turkish, Italian and Sardinian, 1598. Engraving on cream antique laid paper; plate: 13.5 × 10.1 cm, sheet: 18.9 × 14.2 cm, overall: 24 × 14.2 cm. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Arthur K. and Mariot F. Solomon Collection, 2021.330. Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College.