Fille Turque, jouant du Tehegour, plate 51 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Jean Baptiste Vanmour created "Fille Turque, jouant du Tehegour" as plate 51 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant." The work invites you into a world meticulously crafted through line and form. The subject, a Turkish girl playing a musical instrument, is depicted with a striking realism. Her figure is nestled amidst decorative cushions, with an elegant window behind her. Vanmour's command of etching brings an almost photographic clarity to the textures and patterns, evident in the intricate folds of the clothing. Note how the lines create a sense of depth. The play of light and shadow across the scene adds a subtle contrast that enhances the sense of volume and presence. Vanmour’s work offers not just an aesthetic experience but invites us to consider the interplay between observation and representation. It challenges the viewer to consider how cultural identities are formed and communicated through visual means, reminding us that images are never neutral.