Kasseki, officier des Bostangis, plate 19 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Jean Baptiste Vanmour created this print, "Kasseki, officier des Bostangis," as part of his series on people of the Levant. Vanmour, a painter from Northern France, was invited to Istanbul as part of the French Embassy in the early 18th century. The series comes out of a tradition of orientalism, and these prints exoticize the people and customs of the Ottoman Empire. The Bostangi corps were responsible for guarding the Sultan and his palaces. As such, this print gives us insight into the power structures of the Ottoman court. Notice the man's ornate clothing and confident pose, which conveys his high status. How do you think his identity as an officer shapes his role in the Ottoman court? While Vanmour meticulously recorded the dress and customs of the Ottoman people, his work reflects a Western perspective on a foreign culture. This print encourages us to consider the cultural exchange between Europe and the Ottoman Empire during this period.