Portrait of Maria Adelaide of France in Turkish-style clothes 1753

Jean-Étienne Liotard painted this portrait of Maria Adelaide of France in Turkish-style clothes, but we don't know exactly when. The painting reflects the 18th-century European fascination with the Ottoman Empire, a phenomenon known as "Turquerie." This wasn't just about fashion; it represented a broader cultural exchange, albeit one often filtered through a Western lens. The image creates meaning through the visual codes of orientalism: a turban, a loose-fitting robe, and a relaxed posture, all suggesting a life of leisure and exoticism. France at this time was a society of rigid class structures and elaborate courtly rituals, so this painting offered a glimpse into a different world, one that was both alluring and mysterious. But it also reinforces the power dynamics of the time, with the French princess adopting the trappings of another culture for her own aesthetic purposes. To truly understand this artwork, we need to delve into the historical context, looking at travel literature, diplomatic records, and even fashion plates to understand the meanings that "Turquerie" held for 18th-century audiences. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.