The Seraglio (Aubry de La Mottraye's "Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa...," London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 18)
William Hogarth|Jean Baptiste Vanmour|Aubry de La Mottraye
1723–24 · Etching and engraving; second state of two · Drawings and Prints
Hogarth made this print early in his career to illustrate a travel book by the French author Aubry de La Mottraye. The image of a Turkish harem derives in part from images found in "Recueil de cent estampes représentant differéntes nations du Levant..." (A Collection of One Hundred Prints Representing Nations of the Levant, 1712-13). In that earlier publication, engravings by Gérard Scotin (1643–1715) after Jean Baptiste Vanmour include plate 45, "Femme Turque qui fume (Turkish woman smoking); plate 50, "Fille Turque jouet du canon" (Turkish girl playing a canon), "Fille Turque jouet du tehegour" (Turkish girl playing a tehegour), and plate 54, "Tchinguis, ou Danseuse turque" (Tchinguis woman performing a Turkish dance). Hogarth's print adapts Vanmour's figures, and adds others, placing them in a detailed architectural setting.
- Artist
- William Hogarth|Jean Baptiste Vanmour|Aubry de La Mottraye
- Date
- 1723–24
- Medium
- Etching and engraving; second state of two
- Department
- Drawings and Prints
- Credit line
- Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1932
