Habit of a Turkish Priest in 1749

by Thomas Jefferys

This genuine 18th-century plate portrays the Habit of a Turkish Priest, featuring the dramatic, flowing fabric and unique headdress worn by Turkish priests during the 18th century in Istanbul.

The priest's habit is illustrated in contrast to the elaborate garments worn by military men and nobles of the time. The priest’s habit is depicted in its simplest form, with emphasis on the texture and volumetric appearance of the garment, through Jefferys' detailed line drawings. The artist has carefully depicted the caftan-like robe, along with the intricate wrapping of the turban worn by the priest to denote his spiritual status. This plate is an exemplary illustration featured in Jefferys' renowned book, “A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations.”