Abstract

Engravings, which were one of the most frequently used visual documentation methods before the invention of the camera, were widely used especially by travelers and researchers. The travel notes recorded by Western travelers and researchers during their Anatolian trips and the engravings they included in their travel books to support the information are important documents belonging to the Ottoman Empire in terms of visual documentation. Van has become one of the important routes of travelers visiting Anatolian lands with its historical, geographical and cultural features. In the travelogues of travelers visiting Van, in addition to the architectural and nature-themed engravings of the city, they appear as reflections of a cultural image, especially with their figure depictions.In the study, the figure clothes in the engravings found in the travel books of European travelers from the city of Van were evaluated in terms of form, decoration, material and clues to the socio-cultural structure in the context of these features. As a result of the literature research, an evaluation was made on 20 engravings depicting clothing features among the Van-themed engravings using the purposive sampling method. As a result of evaluations supported by clothing features, travellers' notes and scientific studies of the period, the clothing characteristics of the people were revealed. In the study, it was determined that culture, belief and socio-economic opportunities were effective in clothing characteristics.