Le Grand Visir, en Habit et en Turban de ceremonie, plate 27 from "Recueil de cent estampes représentent differentes nations du Levant" 1714 - 1715

Jean Baptiste Vanmour created "Le Grand Visir, en Habit et en Turban de ceremonie" as an engraving, offering a glimpse into 18th-century perceptions of Ottoman dignitaries. The composition immediately draws the eye to the commanding figure of the Grand Vizier. He is positioned to the right of the image, and his raised hand creates a diagonal line that guides our gaze upwards, emphasizing his authority and power. The artist uses line and shading to meticulously render the textures of the Vizier’s ceremonial garments. This contrasts with the veiled figures in the background. Vanmour’s print invites us to consider how cultural and power dynamics were visualized and communicated through formal artistic means. The detailed rendering and structured composition do not merely depict a scene but also encode a complex interplay of cultural representation and artistic interpretation.