Sketch for the Portrait of Muhammad Ali, Viceroy of Egypt 1847

This sketch for a portrait, created by Jean-François Portaels in 1847, depicts Muhammad Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, in a relaxed pose, seated on a divan. The painting is a study for a larger portrait, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the subject's likeness. Portaels, known for his Orientalist paintings, expertly portrays the cultural context through the subject's attire and the opulent setting, capturing the essence of Egyptian life in the mid-19th century. The inscription above Ali's head, "MEHEMET ALI VICEROY D'EGYPTE," further identifies the prominent figure and adds historical significance to the artwork.