Fille de Tine, Isle de l'Archipel, plate 72 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Curator: This drawing, entitled "Fille de Tine, Isle de l'Archipel," was created by Jean Baptiste Vanmour sometime between 1714 and 1715. It's plate 72 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" and resides here at The Met. The work is rendered in line through the printmaking process. Editor: The image has a haunting, ghost-like quality because of the spare use of line. Her pose seems almost balletic. It's restrained but carries an undercurrent of something... wistful? Maybe even a little mournful? Curator: Note the precision in the linework. Vanmour's adept use of hatching and cross-hatching constructs volume and suggests subtle shifts in light across the figure's form, particularly in her garments. The backdrop, while minimally rendered, provides a structural anchor, effectively grounding the figure. Editor: That severe, stark background emphasizes her delicate features and elaborate garments. You know, I find myself wondering about her gaze – averted, thoughtful. Where is she looking, what is she contemplating? Is she presenting herself, or retreating into herself? Curator: Vanmour, as a historical painter, would have been intensely concerned with details such as the subject's dress. It allows him to illustrate the diverse cultural identities in the Levant, contributing to a broader visual compendium. Editor: Precisely! And her hands—the almost pleading quality of the outstretched hand against the modesty of the hand at her breast. There is a silent narrative here. We want to hear her unheard story. Vanmour lets the space, and her presentation within it, invite us to dream into the silence. Curator: It’s a compelling encapsulation of cultural observation through the framework of artistic representation. Editor: Leaving us to imagine a rich and intricate history for her and her land. A fleeting glimpse into the heart of a moment.