Defterdar, or Minister of Finance

The anonymous artist, possibly linked to Konstantin Kapidagli's studio, combined dense, brilliant Ottoman watercolour techniques with European perspectives and representational conventions, resulting in a unique stylistic fusion.

Commissioned by Stratford Canning circa 1808, the series was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895 from Canning's daughter, Charlotte. Notable figures like Charles Cockerell encountered the artist's work during their travels.

Created during Canning's diplomatic mission to Istanbul, the work is part of a broader effort to document Ottoman institutions, buildings, and customs from a British diplomatic perspective in the early 19th century.

While the artist remains unknown, the series, including 'Defterdar', provides valuable insights into Ottoman-European cultural exchange and the documentation of Ottoman life during the Napoleonic era, influencing later artists and architects who encountered the works.