Chef des Eunuques (head of the Eunuchs), from the series "Caravane du Sultan à la Mecque..." (Caravan of a Sultan Going to Mecca) 1748

"Chef des Eunuques" (Head of the Eunuchs), an etching from the series "Caravane du Sultan à la Mecque..." (Caravan of a Sultan Going to Mecca) by Joseph Marie Vien, depicts a seated figure in elaborate Ottoman clothing. The artwork, dated 1748, offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the time. Vien's attention to detail is evident in the intricate patterns of the figure's garments, including a fur-trimmed robe and a turban adorned with feathers. The etching's realism suggests that Vien aimed to depict an accurate representation of Ottoman court life, capturing the grandeur and authority associated with this position within the Ottoman Empire.