Aga des Janissaires, plate one from Caravanne du Sultan à la Mecque 1748

Joseph Marie Vien made this print, Aga des Janissaires, sometime in the 18th century. It’s an etching that comes from a series called "Caravanne du Sultan à la Mecque," or "The Sultan's Caravan to Mecca." This image encapsulates a Western European fascination with the Ottoman Empire. The Janissaries were elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and bodyguards, and this print captures a certain exoticism associated with the East. It hints at the power and opulence of the Ottoman court, but also perhaps at a sense of the 'other.' During the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire was both a source of fascination and a military rival for European powers. Prints like these played a role in shaping European perceptions and, indeed, misperceptions of Ottoman society. Understanding the context in which it was made allows us to see it as more than just a picture; it’s a window into the complex relationship between Europe and the Ottoman world. We can study diplomatic archives, travel literature, and trade records to get a better understanding.