Artwork
Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures is a print by the Romanticist artist Jungwierth. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a black‑and‑white print portraying the Ottoman ruler Bayezid I.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white print portraying the Ottoman ruler Bayezid I. Executed in 1766, the image includes both the title and the artist’s identification within its ornamental lettering, situating the piece firmly within the eighteenth‑century tradition of portrait prints that circulated as visual records of notable figures.
Subject & Meaning
Bayezid I is shown from the shoulders up, his face marked by a pronounced, serious expression. He wears a broad, fur‑trimmed collar and a tall, feather‑adorned hat, elements that signal his status and the sartorial conventions of Ottoman elite portraiture, while the solemn demeanor underscores the ruler’s authority.
Technique & Style
The print relies on strong chiaroscuro, employing deep shadows to render the fur and fabric with a tactile, almost three‑dimensional quality. Sharp incised lines carve the facial features, creating a crisp contrast that heightens the dramatic impact, a common approach in eighteenth‑century European printmaking aimed at emphasizing texture and volume.
History & Provenance
Created in 1766, the print reflects a period when European artists frequently depicted Ottoman leaders for an audience fascinated by the empire’s exoticism. The inclusion of the artist’s name suggests it was intended for sale or distribution, though specific details of its original ownership or subsequent collection history remain undocumented.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jungwierth turned loose, hand-colored prints that bring 1700s life to paper—think turbans, sashes and stiff Ottoman silks framed in simple lines.


















