In the background of a gentleman in Turkish costume of the period is a servant either stringing or unstringing a bow, with some arrows laying in front of him. Though the detail is not clear, it appears to be a Turkish bow and the boy holding it does not seem to be straining. This seems to be a rare European view of Turkish archery equipment in its heyday. Judging by the fletching, the arrows are not intended for distance shooting.A figure in Turkish Costume
Jean Jacques Fran?ois Rivi?re (1653-1747)
Signed: "Jean Jacques Fran?ois Rivi?re in Aleppo ? 1697 ? September 24 "
Oil on canvas
H. 118 cm ; W. 88 cm
The exhibition was held at Sotheby?s France, Galerie Charpentier, from the 19th to the 23rd September, 2011.
http://www.sothebys.com/content/dam/sot ... 21-8-1.pdf
