Lot Essay
Despite the plain backgound of our portrait, the composition of this painting relates to that of a series of portraits of Ottoman ladies executed in situ by George de la Chapelle, a Frenchman who followed French diplomats to the Ottoman Court. His portraits were then engraved by Noël Cochin and published, with a dedicatory letter from La Chappelle to the Comtesse Fiesque, in Paris in 1648 under the title Recueil de divers Portraits des principales Dames de la Porte du grand Turc, tirés au naturel sur les lieux, et dédiés à madame la comtesse de Fiesque.
The similarity of composition would suggest the our veiled lady was likely painted by a later European visitor familiar with de la Chapelle's work.
The similarity of composition would suggest the our veiled lady was likely painted by a later European visitor familiar with de la Chapelle's work.