Une Dame de Chypre 1647

"Une Dame de Chypre" (A Lady of Cyprus) is a 1647 etching by French artist Abraham Bosse (1602-1676) depicting a female figure holding a burning torch. The woman is a personification of Cyprus, who has just defeated a Turkish fleet. This scene is based on historical events, particularly the Siege of Famagusta (1570-1571) and the fall of Cyprus to the Ottomans, which inspired Bosse's work. The print reflects a sense of defiance and the spirit of revenge against the Turks. The dramatic composition and expressive figure, set against a background of a city under attack and warships, is characteristic of Bosse's style. The work is a powerful example of historical narrative art and illustrates the political anxieties of the time.