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The Influence of the Emirates in Renaissance Art: The Journey of a Venetian Pearl Merchant to Dubai.

In 1590, Gasparo Balbi, a pearl merchant from Venice, mentioned Dubai and other regions in the UAE in his travelogue “Viaggio dell’Indie orientali”. Balbi was traveling through the region in search of pearls, which were highly valuable commodities in Europe at the time. Renaissance painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer frequently depicted pearls in their works. Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” created around 1665, is one notable example. During Balbi’s exploration of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula, he took note of several key locations associated with the pearl trade, including Dubai, Sharjah Ajman, Ras Al Khaima, etc in the UAE. His mention of Dubai and its surroundings is one of the earliest known references to the area, indicating that even in the late 16th century, Dubai had begun to gain prominence as a hub for the lucrative pearl industry, exporting to Europe. Balbi’s writings provide valuable historical insight into the region’s economic activity and its role in international trade long before the modern development of Dubai as a global city.