In 1784. <Louis-Françcois Cassas traveled to Constantinople (now Istanbul) with the Count of Choiseul-Gouffier. He proceeded to Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Cyprus, and Asia Minor. Cassas drew many middle-eastern images on the spot, sometimes disguised as Arab. After Cassas returned to Paris in 1792, he published them with Choiseul’s aide.

More on Cassas and other travellers that pictured Middle Eastern dancers can be found at the Bellydance Museum:
www.belly-dance.org