Aga, ou Gentilhomme Turc, plate 39 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Jean Baptiste Vanmour created this print, Aga, ou Gentilhomme Turc, as part of a collection depicting different nations of the Levant. In the 18th century, European artists frequently depicted Ottoman figures, often reinforcing stereotypes. This image presents an interesting intersection of cultural representation. The “Aga,” or Turkish gentleman, is meticulously rendered, showcasing the fabrics and textures of his clothing, while he adopts a pose of noble bearing. Vanmour, as a European artist, was influenced by his own cultural perspective and the prevailing Orientalist views of the time. How does Vanmour navigate the space between genuine representation and the exoticized portrayal of another culture? What does it mean to have your image captured and disseminated by someone from another culture? Consider how such images contributed to the construction of European identity in contrast to the ‘Other.’ What feelings does the image evoke in you, and how much of that is shaped by your own cultural background and knowledge of history?