This 18th-century engraving portrays Greek Cypriots in Turkish costume, with their faces uncovered, reflecting a period when Cyprus was under Ottoman rule.
The scene features two women dressed in traditional Ottoman attire, representing the elite Ottoman class. Their tall headdresses signify their status within the ruling class.
Additionally, Ottoman artefacts such as the zarf on the small table, the rose water bottle (merreh), and the musical instrument highlight the material culture and lifestyle of the Ottomans.
The woman seated cross-legged on the floor and the one leaning leisurely against the pole evoke the Ottoman temperament of rahat (peace and comfort), a quality that left a lasting impression on Western artists and was widely depicted in their works.
PNT-00055 > Cypriots, Bonasech, engraving (coloured), 11 x 15 cm, 1793.
The 'Sneak Peek' series is supported by OPAP (Cyprus).
