Tchelebi, jeune seigneur Turc, plate 40 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant"

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of the Ottoman Levant with *Tchelebi, jeune seigneur Turc* (Young Turkish Lord), plate from the lavish *Recueil de cent estampes représentant différentes du Levant* (Collection of One Hundred Prints Representing Different of the Levant). Created around 1714–15, this etching and engraving captures a poised young nobleman in traditional attire, offering a window into the cosmopolitan society of early 18th-century Istanbul Ottoman rule. The series, comprising 100 plates, celebrated the region's ethnic and cultural diversity, from Turks to Arabs and beyond, fueling European fascination with the exotic East. Painter Jean Baptiste Vanmour, who spent decades at the French embassy in Constantinople, provided the original designs based on his keen observations of local life. Master engravers Gérard Jean Baptiste Scotin I and Jacques le Hay then translated these into intricate prints using etching for fine lines and engraving for rich tonal depth—a technique that allowed affordable reproduction and widespread distribution across Europe. Measuring about 14 × 10 inches on the plate, this work exemplifies the golden age of reproductive printmaking. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece highlights the era's cultural exchange, blending admiration for Ottoman elegance with emerging Orientalist tastes. Imagine affluent collectors poring over such images, bridging continents through art. A true gem for history buffs! (198 words)

About the Artist

Gérard Jean Baptiste Scotin I|Jean Baptiste Vanmour|Jacques le Hay (Italian|French) · 1591 |1671 –1623 |1716

Italian, Rome (?) 1591/92–1623 Venice|French, 1671–1716