Portret van sultan Bayezid I 1692 - 1745

Claude DuBosc made this engraving of Sultan Bayezid I sometime between 1682 and 1745. It's a fascinating example of early modern European representations of Ottoman rulers. Consider how Bayezid is presented here. He's seated, adorned in the attire of his office, yet the image is framed and flattened, almost like a specimen. The cool, detached style of engraving lends a sense of scientific objectivity. This was an age of burgeoning European interest in the East, fueled by trade, diplomacy, and military rivalry. Such images circulated widely in books and print series. The blank circle on the left hints at the print's function as part of a collection, perhaps intended for completion by the buyer. It suggests the collecting practices of the time. These images helped shape European understanding and often misunderstanding of Ottoman society. By researching the print culture of the 18th century, we can begin to unpack the complex power dynamics embedded in this seemingly simple portrait.