A Woman in Turkish Dress" 1750

This is Jean-Étienne Liotard’s "A Woman in Turkish Dress" exhibited here at the Pera Museum. During the 18th century, Western Europe was gripped by “Turquerie”, an orientalist fascination with Ottoman culture. This pastel portrait provides an intimate glimpse into the cross-cultural aesthetics of the time. Here, the sitter's gaze is soft, her posture relaxed, as she embodies an idealized version of the exotic East. The details, from the floral patterns on her dress to the turban-like headwear, illustrate an imagined vision of Turkish fashion. The work prompts us to think about how cultural identities are constructed and perceived. Liotard, who spent several years in Istanbul, aimed for an authentic representation of the East, but even his work is inevitably shaped by the Western gaze. In essence, this portrait captures a moment of cultural exchange, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity and representation.