Who painted Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left?

Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left was painted by Paul Haubenstricker in 1775.

Where can I see Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left?

Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left?

Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left?

Museum-quality prints of Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left

Paul Haubenstricker , 1775

Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Paul Haubenstricker. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: PH (in monogram): 1775; by later hand, lower center of mount in blue ink: 163

About this work

Overview

Paul Haubenstricker’s 1775 print, titled Oriental with a Fur Hat, Looking Left, is an etching executed on laid paper. The image presents a solitary figure in profile, the head shrouded by a large fur hat that drapes low over the face. The subject’s gaze is directed slightly away, imparting a quiet, introspective mood to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts an individual of Eastern appearance, suggested by the term "Oriental," whose identity remains anonymous. The emphasis on the heavy fur headgear and the turned glance may allude to themes of concealment or cultural distinction, inviting viewers to contemplate the figure’s inner life beyond the visible attire.

Technique & Style

Haubenstricker employed a combination of etching and drypoint, allowing the artist to incise deep, ragged lines that convey texture. The fur of the hat and the hair are rendered with dense, overlapping strokes, creating a tactile impression. The overall line quality is rough and expressive, characteristic of late‑18th‑century printmaking practices.

History & Provenance

Created in 1775, the print belongs to the period when European artists frequently produced images of exotic subjects for a market fascinated by the East. Specific details of its ownership history are scarce, but the work survives on laid paper, a common support for prints of the era, indicating it was likely part of a broader series or collection.