Portret van Mehmet IV, sultan van het Ottomaanse Rijk 1670 - 1724

Jacob Gole etched this portrait of Mehmet IV, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The crescent moon, prominently displayed on his scepter and coat-of-arms, is an ancient symbol, predating Islam, linked to lunar deities and cyclical time. We can see echoes of this lunar symbolism in other eras; consider the Greek goddess Selene, driving her moon chariot across the night sky. Yet, the crescent's adaptation by the Ottoman Empire marks a distinct evolution, transforming from a pagan emblem into a symbol of Islamic power and sovereignty. This metamorphosis speaks to the human capacity to imbue symbols with new meanings, reflecting our ever-changing cultural and religious landscapes. Here, the crescent not only signifies Ottoman rule but also evokes centuries of shifting spiritual beliefs and the enduring human fascination with the celestial sphere. It acts as a potent visual shorthand for a complex history of cultural exchange and religious transformation, subtly reminding us of the cyclical, non-linear march of civilization.