This stunning copperplate engraving by the renowned English mapmaker Thomas Jefferys is a key visual source for the military dominance of the Ottoman Empire. Instead of being just a costume portrait, this copperplate shows the Captain of the Janissaries - the Soup Distributor – posing in all his ceremonial glory. Portraits such as this from the 18th century gave rise to the craze among Europeans of all things Oriental. This stunning copperplate engraving records in fine detail the characteristic elements of the Janissaries' identity: Silhouette, Textural Richness, and Commanding Presence.This copperplate is a perfect example of the cultural phenomenon known as "Turquerie", portraying the world of fashion as an inflexible hierarchy of authority and piety.
