The Day after the Wedding: the Feast of Trotters (Paça Günü)

The subject of this picture is the Feast of Trotters, which according to Ottoman custom was held the day after the wedding. The presence of the bride at the centre of the composition has been underlined by means of the red cloth in front of her. The red veil and robe of the bride are hanging on the two sides of the window. The belt and pearl necklace, presented to the bride by her elders on the morning after the wedding, rest on her lap.

On the right, there is a tray with vases of flowers that had come with the bride’s trousseau. On the left the hosts are greeting the newly arrived guests. The costumes reflect the fashion of the mid 18th century.

The painting must be inspired by Vanmour’s 'Greek Wedding' at the Rijksmuseum.