Portrait of a Lady in Turkish Fancy Dress c. 1790

This is Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s “Portrait of a Lady in Turkish Fancy Dress,” made using oil paints and canvas. The artist, working in France, has created an opulent, idealized image of a woman dressed in what was considered ‘exotic’ clothing at the time. While the subject is European, the clothing is intended to evoke the Ottoman Empire. Note the turban, the rich fabrics, and the fur trim, all of which would have been perceived as luxurious materials. The artist's meticulous brushwork allows us to see and almost feel the soft, rich texture of the fabrics. Consider the social context of this painting. The portrait was made at a time when Europe was heavily engaged in trade and diplomacy with the Ottoman Empire. The elaborate clothing also suggests a wealthy patron, and hints at the class and labor involved in creating such garments. The materials, the making, and the context all speak to a world of cultural exchange, power dynamics, and a fascination with the "Other," challenging traditional notions of identity and representation in art.