Ibn Batuta＇s book The Rihla gives us a unique insight into life of a 14th C travelling scholar in the golden age of Dar AI Islam （the world of Islam）. This paper is a reflection on Ibn Battuta focusing on three cur...Ibn Batuta＇s book The Rihla gives us a unique insight into life of a 14th C travelling scholar in the golden age of Dar AI Islam （the world of Islam）. This paper is a reflection on Ibn Battuta focusing on three curious things we don＇t know about him. First, we don＇t know what he looks like--what does this tell us about visual culture, ethnicity and the idea of self-image in 14th Century. Second, we don＇t know if he really went to China--if not why would this section be included？ Third, we don＇t know how his story became lost to history, which it certainly was for close to 400 years--what does this tell us about the man, the book, it＇s intended audience and the changes happening within Dar AI Islam at that time.展开更多
Jan Haicksz Steen （1626-1679）, a Dutch actor, poet and painter, engaged the viewer with various innuendos and double entendres in his paintings about Woman at Her Toilet. Decoding the conceits introduces the viewer ...Jan Haicksz Steen （1626-1679）, a Dutch actor, poet and painter, engaged the viewer with various innuendos and double entendres in his paintings about Woman at Her Toilet. Decoding the conceits introduces the viewer to Dutch artistic astuteness and popular culture. Steen drew the observer into his picture plane through a series of emblematic vignettes. Although he raised questions about cultural mores, morality, and religiosity, none are judgmental. On the contrary, it is the viewer who might or might not articulate a moral judgment according to personal experiences. For Steen, the imagery, filled with complex conceits, is an artistic visual representation to delight the eyes, tantalize the senses, and maybe even spark the intellect.展开更多
文摘Ibn Batuta＇s book The Rihla gives us a unique insight into life of a 14th C travelling scholar in the golden age of Dar AI Islam （the world of Islam）. This paper is a reflection on Ibn Battuta focusing on three curious things we don＇t know about him. First, we don＇t know what he looks like--what does this tell us about visual culture, ethnicity and the idea of self-image in 14th Century. Second, we don＇t know if he really went to China--if not why would this section be included？ Third, we don＇t know how his story became lost to history, which it certainly was for close to 400 years--what does this tell us about the man, the book, it＇s intended audience and the changes happening within Dar AI Islam at that time.
文摘Jan Haicksz Steen （1626-1679）, a Dutch actor, poet and painter, engaged the viewer with various innuendos and double entendres in his paintings about Woman at Her Toilet. Decoding the conceits introduces the viewer to Dutch artistic astuteness and popular culture. Steen drew the observer into his picture plane through a series of emblematic vignettes. Although he raised questions about cultural mores, morality, and religiosity, none are judgmental. On the contrary, it is the viewer who might or might not articulate a moral judgment according to personal experiences. For Steen, the imagery, filled with complex conceits, is an artistic visual representation to delight the eyes, tantalize the senses, and maybe even spark the intellect.
