Charles Richter de Rodes de la Morlière 1734

Editor: This is an engraving of Charles Richter de Rodes de la Morlière by Bernard Lépicié. The subject's eccentric garb makes me wonder about his story. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers of cultural fascination, wouldn't you agree? The sitter, framed like a window onto another world, sports a turban and fur, hinting at a complex relationship with the "exotic" Orient. He appears to be in costume of some kind, and reminds me of the fashion for masquerade. Do you think that's the case here? Editor: Perhaps! It's definitely theatrical, but I hadn't considered masquerade. Curator: The artist may be hinting at the sitter's embrace of otherness, or perhaps gently mocking the elite's fascination with orientalism. Either way, it's a striking image. Editor: I never would have thought of that reading, but now the subject’s clothes really stand out as purposefully odd.