This paper examines the commission, execution, and reception of a series of exotic tapestry cartoons by Amédée Van Loo in the early 1770s. It was reported at the time that the former favorite, Mme du Barry, had been behind the commission, figuring in the cartoons as the “French Sultana.” Although this long-repeated tale appears false, it is useful nonetheless in establishing a political context in which the cartoons and their reception can be interpreted. Further, the markedly negative critical reception of the series offers a rich source for illuminating the reasons behind the decline and reformulation of exoticism late in the ancien régime. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.
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