Artwork

Amedcibey, or Receiver General of provincial correspondence addressed to the Grand Vizier

Amedcibey, or Receiver General of provincial correspondence addressed to the Grand Vizier is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanesque artist Anonymous Greek artist. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Amedcibey, or Receiver General of provincial correspondence addressed to the Grand Vizier, is a watercolour artwork from a series commissioned by Stratford Canning during his early diplomatic career in Turkey. The piece showcases an Ottoman official within the administrative hierarchy, highlighting the intersection of political and social structures.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Amedcibey, represents the Receiver General responsible for managing provincial correspondence to the Grand Vizier, illustrating a key figure in the Ottoman administrative system. The artwork provides insight into the inner workings of the Ottoman Empire's bureaucracy as observed by a European diplomat.

Technique & Style

The watercolour combines Ottoman artistic traditions, characterized by dense and brilliant water and bodycolour, with European techniques of representation and perspective, reflecting the cultural exchange of the time.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by Stratford Canning in the early 19th century, the artwork was created by an unknown Turkish artist, possibly affiliated with Konstantin Kapidagli's studio. It was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895 from Canning's daughter, Charlotte.

Context

Created during Stratford Canning's diplomatic mission to Istanbul (starting in 1808), the series, including this piece, documents Ottoman institutions and customs from a European observer's perspective, coinciding with a period of cultural and diplomatic engagement.