Ast-chi, Cuisinier du Grand Seigneur, plate 12 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant"

Art Historical Context

This striking print comes from the influential 1714–15 publication *Recueil de cent estampes représentant différentes nations du Levant*, a landmark series that introduced European audiences to the peoples, costumes, and daily life of the Ottoman Empire. Created by Flemish artist Jean Baptiste Vanmour, who lived and worked in Constantinople, the image depicts “Ast-chi,” the cook of the Grand Seigneur—the Sultan himself. Plate 12 captures the figure in his professional attire, reflecting the careful attention Vanmour paid to the hierarchy and specialized roles within the Ottoman court. Etching and engraving techniques allowed for the precise rendering of fabric textures, tools, and gestures, making these images both informative and visually appealing for Western viewers curious about Eastern customs. Vanmour’s work, reproduced here by engraver Jacques le Hay, helped shape European perceptions of the Levant during a period of diplomatic and cultural exchange. Today, the print offers a window into early eighteenth-century cross-cultural fascination, preserving details of Ottoman professional life that might otherwise have been lost. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection underscores the enduring value of such documentary art in bridging historical worlds.

About the Artist

Jacques le Hay|Jean Baptiste Vanmour (French| ) · 1671 |1650 –1737 |1750

French, Valenciennes 1671–1737 Istanbul (Constantinople)|