Turkish Emperor Selim II 1624 - 1675

This print of the Turkish Emperor Selim II was created by an anonymous artist, and we can surmise that it was made to be distributed widely. Prints like this one are not simply portraits. They are cultural documents which reflect Europe’s changing relationship with the Ottoman Empire. As empires battled for dominance, images played a key role in shaping public perceptions. The added text provides an overview of Selim II, emphasizing his military campaigns and territorial control. The reference to the victory of the Christians over the Turkish army, places this image firmly within a European context, as does the Latin inscription on the print itself, Zelin. Imperator. This suggests it was made for a European audience, curious about or perhaps even fearful of the Ottoman ruler. By studying such images, along with texts and other artifacts, we can better understand the complex dynamics between different cultures and empires during this period.