The Dialectics of Orientalism in Early Modern Europe

This collection explores the dynamic nature of early modern Orientalism, emphasizing its dialectical qualities and cultural exchanges across Europe and the New World. The Dialectics of Orientalism in Early Modern Europe offers fresh insights.

This collection brings together twelve original studies by scholars specializing in early modern history, literature, and the arts. It is the first of its kind to emphasize the dialectical nature of early modern Orientalism through a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach. The essays explore how texts and images from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, produced across Europe and the New World, should be viewed as part of a dynamic and evolving orientalist discourse, rather than simply reflecting a rigid divide between the 'East' and the 'West.'

The Dialectics of Orientalism in Early Modern Europe argues that early modern orientalist discourses are inherently open, self-critical, and creative. By examining a diverse range of works—from German and Dutch travelogues to Spanish humanist treaties, French essays, Flemish paintings, and English diaries—this volume provides new insights into the complexities of cultural exchanges during this period. It challenges traditional critiques of Orientalism by presenting a more nuanced understanding of these texts and images.

This collection not only breathes new life into the analysis of Orientalism but also offers valuable perspectives on the global exchanges that characterized the early modern world. By focusing on the dialectical relationships within these cultural productions, The Dialectics of Orientalism in Early Modern Europe opens up avenues for further research and discussion, making it an essential read for scholars and students alike.