Artwork
A female member of the Sultan's family
A female member of the Sultan's family is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Anonymous Greek artist. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour, part of a larger series commissioned by diplomat Stratford Canning, depicts a woman from the Ottoman imperial family.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour, part of a larger series commissioned by diplomat Stratford Canning, depicts a woman from the Ottoman imperial family. The work was produced in the early nineteenth century, during Canning’s posting in Istanbul, and reflects the visual record he assembled of the city’s institutions and customs.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represents a member of the Sultan’s household, offering a rare glimpse into the private sphere of Ottoman royalty. By portraying a female relative, the image provides insight into the gendered aspects of court life, complementing the series’ broader focus on public architecture and ceremonies.
Technique & Style
The artist blends the rich, saturated watercolours typical of Ottoman miniature practice with European conventions of linear perspective and spatial depth. This hybrid approach yields a vivid, detailed rendering that balances decorative surface treatment with a more naturalistic sense of space.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Canning, the series was created by an unidentified Turkish painter, likely associated with the workshop of Konstantin Kapidagli. After Canning’s death, the drawings passed to his daughter Charlotte, who sold them to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895, where they remain in the collection.
Context
Canning’s diplomatic mission began in 1808, and his interest in Ottoman culture led him to employ a local artist for visual documentation. The same period saw British architect Charles Cockerell visiting Istanbul, where he consulted the unnamed Greek painter on technique, later reproducing some of the artist’s views for the British Museum.
Artist & collection
![A Pasha travelling with his escort[?], by Anonymous Greek artist](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/anonymous-greek-artist--a-pasha-travelling-with-his-escort--01de32b8fcf30843-w320.webp)
![A Dervish[?], by Anonymous Greek artist](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/anonymous-greek-artist--a-dervish--3c8916f5a95abb6a-w320.webp)