[1] Laurens was chosen by the geographer Xavier Hommaire de Hell to join him on an extended scientific journey to Turkey and Persia (1846-1848).

Thanks to the French ambassador, Laurens was able to reach Tehran from where he sent back de Hell's notes together with his own drawings.

Some of Laurens' lithographs were published in L'Illustration and Tour du Monde, both popular periodicals, while the originals, together with his early watercolours were given to the library of the École des Beaux-Arts.

[1] Laurens also painted examples of qajar art while in Persia, including his Danseuse au tambourin.

[2] Laurens continued his career in France after returning in 1849, exhibiting paintings and engravings in virtually every Salon from 1850 to 1891.