Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures
1766
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1766
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This is a black-and-white print of a man’s face and shoulders. He wears a wide, fur-lined collar and a tall hat with a feather. His beard is thick, and his expression looks serious but not angry. The lines on his face are sharp, almost like they were carved into the paper. The artist used deep shadows to make the textures pop—notice how the fur and fabric look almost three-dimensional. This was a common trick in prints to add drama. If you like this style, look up chiaroscuro.
