The Seraglio (Aubry de La Mottraye, Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa..., London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 18)

The Seraglio (Aubry de La Mottraye, Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa..., London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 18) by William Hogarth is an exemplary early 18th-century English print, created using the complex technique of etching and engraving. Executed around 1723-1724, this image served as Plate 18 in the first volume of the widely read travelogue by Aubry de La Mottraye, published in London in 1724. The work is a critical piece of commercial art, commissioned before Hogarth established his reputation for satirical moral narratives, and this specific impression represents the second state of two, reflecting careful refinements made during the printmaking process.

The subject matter, often categorized under exoticism or Turquerie, depicts an imagined interior scene within a seraglio (harem). Hogarth carefully renders a composition populated by groups of men and women gathered in a luxurious, somewhat confined space. The narrative focus centers on entertainment: figures are actively engaged in dancing, while surrounding figures play various musical instruments, setting the tempo for the scene. These included subjects-musical instruments, dancing, men, and women-were used to convey the perceived mystery and allure of non-European customs to an expectant British audience.

Hogarth’s precise application of etching and engraving techniques showcases his emerging mastery of figure work and depth. This print provides crucial insight into the artist’s foundational years and his early development as a skilled illustrator. The work is classified as a historical print and resides within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.