Aankomst van de nieuwe Nederlandse ambassadeur Colyer te Constantinopel, 1718 1718 - 1720

This etching by Leonard Schenk made in 1718, depicts the arrival of the new Dutch ambassador, Colyer, in Constantinople. It offers a window into the diplomatic rituals and power dynamics of the early 18th century. Made during a period of complex relations between the Dutch Republic and the Ottoman Empire, the print visualizes the formal procession of Ambassador Colyer through the city. The image emphasizes the order and grandeur of the event. We see the ambassador and his retinue as a display of Dutch power and influence in a foreign land. The presence of musicians, flag bearers, and mounted escorts, serve to impress upon the viewer the importance of this diplomatic exchange. Historical archives would reveal a great deal about Dutch-Ottoman relations at the time, revealing the economic and political interests at stake. Such research allows us to interpret the artwork not just as a depiction of an event, but as a statement of political intent.