Tristes harems. L’exemple de la comtesse de Gasparin (À Constantinople, 1867) au regard de la tradition des voyageuses en Orient

Abstract

The article examines the Countess of Gasparin’s book À Constantinople, published in 1867, in the light of a particular context and a tradition of women travellers in the East. Beginning with a description of the condition of women travellers in the East during 19th century, including several biographical elements surrounding Valérie Gasparin, the study concentrates on one of the favourite places of European travellers in the East: the hareem. The study highlights the work of the Countess on demystifying the hareem, her gendered anti-slavery discourse, as well as her determination to give Eastern women a voice.

Keywords

• Countess of Gasparin
• Constantinople
• slavery
• hareems
• voice(s)