Studies of Male Figures in Turkish Dress

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Drawing details

Artist: Formerly attributed to Leighton, Lord, Frederic (1830-1896), Baron of Stretton, P.R.A., painter and sculptor
Title: Studies of Male Figures in Turkish Dress
Date: 1845-65
Media: Pencil and watercolour on white paper
Dimensions: 29.5 x 41.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0438 p.4
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower edge "Gros [illegible] Oficier d. Ceremoni Chefe de Bosrangie" in pencil, possibly in the artist's hand.

Interpretation

The crested plume on the headdress is called 'Capidji Bachi'. These officers had the honour of carrying the bow-string in grand processions of the Sultan. Inscribed 'Chef de Bastandijis', officer in charge of the gardeners. Wearing yellow boots or slippers, this was a privilege allowed to officers and domestics of the Grand Vizier but forbidden to the ordinary people. A member of the legal profession, distinguished in Turkey by the largeness of their turbans. A number of books discussing Turkish costume were published from the end of the 18th Century; C Vecellio, Costumes Anciens et Modernes; (Paris 1859-60), from the original Italian in 1590; D Wilkie, Sketches in Turkey, Syria and Egypt (1785); E Reeve, Character and Costume in Turkey and Italy (1840); F Macbean, 'Sketches of Character and Costume in Constantinople, Ionian Island etc.' (1854). These drawings ,ay be copies of illustrations from one or more of these books.

Description

Study of four male figures in Turkish court costume. Court Official. 

Provenance

Presented to Leighton House Museum by 1926