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The Seraglio (Aubry de La Mottraye, Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa..., London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 18)

Artist and engraver William Hogarth British
Author Related author Aubry de La Mottraye French British
1723–24
Not on view
Hogarth's print was made early in his career to illustrate an English edition of 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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Seraglio (Aubry de La Mottraye, Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa..., London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 18)
  • Artist and engraver: William Hogarth (British, London 1697–1764 London)
  • Artist: After Jean Baptiste Vanmour (French, Valenciennes 1671–1737 Istanbul (Constantinople))
  • Author: Related author Aubry de La Mottraye (French, ca. 1674–1743)
  • Date: 1723–24
  • Medium: Etching and engraving; second state of two
  • Dimensions: sheet: 10 x 13 3/4 in. (25.4 x 34.9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.2838
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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