Standing Turk, plate eleven from Ink Sketches by Charlet 1828

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet created "Standing Turk" using ink sketches; its date is unknown. The print presents a striking contrast, with dense blacks sharply juxtaposed against areas of stark white. This starkness invites us to consider the interplay between form and void, presence and absence. The figure is composed of solid masses of black which define the subject. Charlet’s decision to use lithography serves to flatten the image, emphasizing shape and silhouette rather than depth. The reduction of detail and the lack of tonal gradations challenge conventional representation and invite us to see the image as a set of graphic signs. Consider how Charlet uses the limited tonal range to construct meaning. The play of light and shadow is not merely descriptive; it is a structural device that shapes our perception and directs our gaze. This is where the essence of the artwork resides—in its formal articulation, inviting us to decipher the signs and codes embedded within its stark composition.