Selim Kahn I, from Portraits of the Emperors of Turkey

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

“Selim the Grim,” as he was known in the West, was the ninth Ottoman sultan, ruling from 1512 to 1520. He increased the Turkish maritime forces, added numerous territories to the Ottoman Empire including Syria, Palestine, Hijaz, Algiers, and Egypt (Cairo’s pyramids appear in the lower cartouche), and also had a flair for writing poetry. Here his bejeweled dagger and mace show his military prowess. This mezzotint reflects the original colors of John Young’s miniature source, but the artist curiously truncated the pose. Selim was originally depicted seated on a golden throne that is now in the Topkapi Palace museum in Istanbul.

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