Chief Harem Eunuch

Description

This engraving depicts the multicultural life and social strata of 18th-century Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The image is part of the renowned album 'Recueil de cent estampes représentant différentes nations du Levant', commissioned by the French ambassador Marquis de Ferriol, illustrated by the painter Jean-Baptiste Vanmour, and published in Paris in 1714.

Curator's Note: The depictions and nomenclature within this artwork bear the hallmarks of the Turquerie movement prevalent in Europe at the time, reflecting the Orientalist perspective of European artists. Consequently, rather than being viewed merely as a factual visual document, it should be regarded as an artistic record capturing the attire and social statuses of the era, as well as Europe’s perception of the East. While the original prints were produced in black and white, the hand-coloring was subsequently applied in the workshops of the period.

For the historical background of the collection and a detailed analysis of the artworks, please refer to our article.