Costume Study for Konstanze in the "Abduction from the Seraglio" by W.A. Mozart 1830 - 1850

Johann Georg Christoph Fries made this watercolor costume study for Konstanze in Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” sometime in the 19th century. The opera itself premiered in Vienna in 1782, and this drawing allows us to consider the historical contexts of both the opera and its later reception. The opera is an example of Orientalism: Western fantasies about the “exotic” Middle East. Here, Konstanze is a European woman held captive in a Turkish Pasha’s harem. This costume design borrows from stereotypical depictions of Turkish dress, like the turban and veil. But it also Europeanizes the costume with its fitted bodice and voluminous skirt. So, what does it mean to restage this opera in the 19th century? What do these costume choices signal to audiences about power, gender, and cultural difference? Understanding this image requires us to research the performance history of Mozart’s opera. Considering such questions helps us understand the dynamic relationship between art, institutions, and society.