Who painted Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures?

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures was painted by Unknown in 1620.

Where can I see Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures?

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures?

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures

Unknown , 1620

Turkish sultans, sultanas and other historical figures is a print by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This black‑and‑white print presents a solitary figure framed by an ornamental circular border and a richly decorated outer edge.

About this work

Overview

This black‑and‑white print presents a solitary figure framed by an ornamental circular border and a richly decorated outer edge. The central portrait shows a man in a tall, pointed hat crowned with a cross, his thick beard and solemn gaze rendered with pronounced contrasts of light and shadow. A Latin inscription beneath identifies the sitter and his titles, indicating his high status.

Subject & Meaning

The individual portrayed is Murad IV, an Ottoman sultan whose reign was marked by strong central authority. The inclusion of his Latinized name and titles reflects a European interest in Ottoman leadership, while the dignified expression and formal attire underscore his political power and the gravitas associated with his rule.

Technique & Style

Executed in a meticulous printmaking technique, the image employs chiaroscuro to model the facial features, creating depth through stark tonal differences. The decorative border and peripheral motifs are rendered with fine line work, characteristic of late‑Baroque print aesthetics that favored elaborate framing and careful attention to detail.

History & Provenance

The print originates from a period when European artists frequently produced portraits of Eastern rulers for diplomatic and scholarly audiences. Though the exact date and printer are not recorded, its stylistic traits align with early‑17th‑century European depictions of Ottoman figures, suggesting it was circulated among collectors interested in the empire’s leadership.