Artwork
Enfant Turc que lon méne à la Circoncision
Enfant Turc que lon méne à la Circoncision is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist J. Payne. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Dated 1802, this watercolour drawing by J.
About this work
Overview
Dated 1802, this watercolour drawing by J. Payne depicts a young boy in a doorway, dressed in vibrant attire. The work is based on a scene from J. Le Hay's *Recueil De Cent Estampes* (1714), which reproduces works by J. B. Vanmour.
Subject & Meaning
The boy, likely being led to circumcision as indicated by the title 'Enfant Turc que lon méne à la Circoncision', is shown holding a small framed landscape picture. His colourful clothing, including a red shirt with gold trim, green pants, and blue cap, is a focal point of the composition.
Technique & Style
The watercolour reflects the visual conventions of early 18th-century Orientalist imagery. The artist's use of bold patterns and colours creates a striking image, while the inclusion of the small framed picture adds a layer of depth to the scene.
History & Provenance
The work was purchased from W. Spencer in December 1966. It is an example of how 18th-century Orientalist imagery continued to influence artists in the early 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
J. Payne painted scenes of everyday life in exotic places. Check out "A Courtyard of the Sultan's Palace in Constantinople" for a glimpse of Ottoman architecture. These watercolours give us a look at what life was like…
