Sofa met rookvaten 1745 - 1775

This detailed drawing of a sofa, with its accompanying dimensions, was made in eighteenth-century France. The inscription "Veilleuse à la Turque!" suggests that it was designed in the Turkish style, a popular trend at the time. The image speaks to the broader phenomenon of "Turkomania" that swept through Europe. It was a fascination with Turkish culture driven by trade, diplomacy, and military encounters. The "Turkish style" became fashionable in interior design, fashion, and the arts, reflecting an exoticized and often romanticized view of Ottoman culture. We can ask: how did European artists and designers navigate the complexities of cross-cultural exchange, appropriation, and representation? The drawing is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the role of art and design in shaping perceptions of foreign cultures. By analyzing design patterns, and trade records, we can better understand this historical moment.