While visiting the Levant with his patron Sir William Ponsonby, Liotard adopted the style of dress for which he became known as le Peintre Turc. His unconventional personal appearance was evidently both a source of fascination and frustration to his artistic rivals, who attributed the exceptionally high prices he was able to charge to his novelty rather than talent. Liotard's long greying beard, here beautifully silhouetted against the pure white background, was particularly unconventional at a time when a clean-shaven face was considered a mark of Western civility.

Cat. 29