About this sheet
Persian and Armenian Figures – Asia Minor and Khorasan Costumes, c.1845
This magnificent hand-colored lithograph, titled “Asie – Turquie d’Asie,” is drawn from the renowned Parisian series Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, published around 1845–1850 by Amédée Bedelet. The image was drawn by Fossey, lithographed by J. Bocquin, and printed by the master lithographer Lemercier in Paris. The series, accompanied by text by Élisabeth Müller, sought to document the diverse costumes and customs of peoples across the world, merging ethnographic observation with Romantic artistry.
This striking composition offers a vivid tableau of Persian and Armenian life within the cultural sphere of Asia Minor. At the left stands a Grand Mollah, a dignified religious scholar in a flowing robe of cream and green, his beard and turban signifying authority and learning. Beside him, a richly dressed Négociant Arménien (Armenian merchant) converses with a Soldat du Khorassan, whose vibrant garments of red and green and ornate shield mark his status as a soldier from northeastern Persia.
In the center, a Persane, costume de ville walks with elegant poise, her long indigo cloak and white face veil reflecting the modest yet refined urban attire of 19th-century Persian women. A small child follows at her side, adding a touch of intimacy to the grand Oriental setting. To the right, a Marchand Persan (Persian merchant) sits cross-legged on a richly woven carpet, offering tea and goods for trade, his striped robes and turban rendered in striking tones of red, blue, and gold. Behind him, horsemen and veiled women animate the courtyard scene, framed by crenellated city walls and domed architecture suggestive of Isfahan or Tehran.
The composition captures the exotic splendor and social diversity of Persian life as imagined through mid-19th-century French eyes, balancing ethnographic authenticity with the romantic Orientalism that fascinated European audiences. Lemercier’s lithography achieves remarkable depth and texture, while the delicate hand-coloring accentuates the opulence of textiles and the atmosphere of warmth and dignity.
Plates such as this from Le Monde en Estampes are admired for their beauty and documentary value, offering a window into 19th-century perceptions of the East and its cultural richness.
Condition report: Fair to good condition with foxing and light age toning primarily in the margins. The image area remains clean and vibrant, colors bright and unfaded.
Framing tips: Best suited to a cream or soft sand-colored mat and a gilt or rosewood frame. The warm palette of the print also pairs elegantly with a deep blue or burgundy mat for a more dramatic display.
