Public domain
Islamic galley slaves on the beach
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
On the left, a Muslim galley slave stands next to a sailor who is in conversation with a papasso (moollah and representative of the enslaved Muslims). In front of them, a dog. On the right, a Muslim galley slave holds a halberd. In front of him, a cannon, bullets, barrels, an anchor, and an oar. In the background, Muslim galley slaves are gathered around a cauldron, likely preparing to caulk a ship. These enslaved men are identifiable as Muslims by the characteristic hairstyle (shaved head except for a tuft) they were required to wear.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineIslamitische galeislaven op het strand. 1649. M. Schaep. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.