Western Gentleman in Oriental Costume 1840 - 1845

"Western Gentleman in Oriental Costume" is an anonymous oil painting from 1840-1845 housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting depicts a European man dressed in elaborate Ottoman garb, likely a wealthy merchant or diplomat, who is reclining on a luxurious divan with a hookah pipe in hand. This painting is a prime example of the fascination with the Orient prevalent in European art during the 19th century, which was fueled by exploration and trade with the East. The artist, whose identity remains unknown, captured the sitter's opulent attire with a blend of realism and romanticized imagery.