The taming of the Turk

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For centuries, the figure of ‘the Turk’ evoked both fascination and fear, symbolizing a world of pirates, sultans, and odalisques, while also representing the Ottoman Empire's real confrontations with Western powers. This complex image dissolves under historical scrutiny, revealing intricate combinations of military, commercial, and religious contexts. The narrative explores three centuries of cultural history between Denmark and the Ottoman Empire within a broader European framework. It traces the evolution of ‘the Turk’ from a diabolical figure in early modern royal ceremonies to benign ‘Turkish’ entertainment in the late nineteenth century. Artistic, theatrical, and theological notions interact paradoxically against a backdrop of pragmatic ties with the Ottomans. This exploration of a long-forgotten connection between a small Northern European nation and a powerful Oriental empire draws on previously neglected source materials—plays, paintings, treaties, and travelogues—that were significant in their time. The portrayal of ‘exotic’ figures often reflects self-images, and these documents unlock insights into the mental and fundamental (pre)conditions shaping imagery even today.