Femme Juive, Courtiere qui porte ses Marchandises aux Juenes Dames Turques qui ne peuvent sortir, plate 65 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Jean Baptiste Vanmour made this print, "Femme Juive," using etching techniques. It's part of a larger collection depicting various nations of the Levant. Vanmour's image offers a window into the social dynamics of the time. The print shows a Jewish woman acting as a go-between, bringing goods to young Turkish women who were restricted from leaving their homes. This scene reflects the complex interactions between different cultural and religious groups within the Ottoman Empire and raises questions about cultural exchange, gender roles, and social mobility. As historians, we can use sources, such as Ottoman legal documents, travelers' accounts, and demographic surveys to enrich our understanding of this artwork and its significance in its time. The meaning of art changes depending on its social and institutional context.