Portret van sultan Süleymn I de Grote 1549 - 1578

This is an anonymous engraving of Sultan Süleyman I, its date of creation unknown. The Sultan's portrait is framed within an oval, filled with decorative foliage, and inscribed with his name. The artist used hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and texture. Note how the lines vary in thickness and density to model the Sultan's face, clothing, and headdress, giving them a tactile quality. The composition is relatively simple and symmetrical, drawing attention to the Sultan's face. His stern gaze and imposing mustache convey power and authority. The ornamental frame, with its swirling lines and floral motifs, reflects the artistic conventions and cultural codes of the period. The artist was working within a tradition of portraiture that emphasized status and identity through carefully constructed images. The very act of portraying Süleyman can be seen as a form of cultural and political exchange, reflecting Europe's complex relationship with the Ottoman Empire.