La Marquise Charles de Bethisy, née Adèle-Mathilde-Emmanuelle de Guernonval D'esquelbecq 

Charles de Steuben painted this portrait of La Marquise, capturing her in an elaborate turban and a gown of the period. The turban, adorned with a white plume, speaks to a vogue for exoticism, reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire and North Africa. Consider how headwear, from turbans to crowns, have throughout history signified status and cultural exchange. In Renaissance paintings, similar headwear might denote the presence of a foreign dignitary or a biblical figure. The turban, with its echoes of the East, could also evoke a sense of mystery, particularly in the context of the Romantic era's fascination with the Orient. Here, it's possible to see a psychological play, the desire to align oneself with the allure and perceived wisdom of a foreign culture. As we trace its visual history, we see the turban not just as an article of clothing, but as a symbol that continually reinvents itself.