Turkish Soldiers at Rest from the frieze Ces Moeurs et fachons de faire de Turcz (Customs and Fashions of the Turks)

Art Historical Context

This woodcut, titled *Turkish Soldiers at Rest*, forms part of the 1553 frieze *Ces Moeurs et fachons de faire de Turcz* (Customs and Fashions of the Turks). Designed by Flemish artist Pieter Coecke van Aelst and likely published with the involvement of his wife, Mayken Verhulst, it depicts Ottoman soldiers pausing with their horses in a horizontal composition suited to the frieze format. Measuring about 35 by 59.5 centimeters, the print uses the woodcut medium’s bold lines and repeatable nature to convey both military life and everyday details of Turkish culture. Created in the mid-16th century, the work reflects growing European fascination with the Ottoman Empire during a period of diplomatic and trade exchanges. Coecke van Aelst, active in the Northern Renaissance tradition, translated observed or reported scenes into accessible prints that educated viewers about foreign customs without requiring travel. The inclusion of horses alongside resting soldiers highlights the practical realities of Ottoman military campaigns, blending documentary interest with artistic elegance. As a print, this piece played a key role in disseminating knowledge of Turkish attire, weaponry, and daily routines across Europe. Its survival in museum collections like the Metropolitan Museum of Art underscores the enduring value of such images in bridging cultural understanding through art.

About the Artist

Pieter Coecke van Aelst|Mayken Verhulst · 1502–1550

Pieter Coecke van Aelst (1502–1550) was a leading Flemish artist of the Renaissance, renowned for his multifaceted talents as a painter, sculptor, architect, and designer of tapestries, stained glass, woodcuts, and metalwork. Born in Aalst, in the Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium), he likely studied under Bernaert van Orley, a prominent Antwerp painter, before becoming a master in the city...