An Ambassador's Audience with the Grand Vizier in his Yali on the Bosporus (Ambassador Cornelis Calkoen, 12 August 1727) 1700 - 1800

This anonymous 18th-century oil painting depicts a formal diplomatic meeting between Dutch ambassador Cornelis Calkoen and the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. The scene takes place in the Vizier's Yali, a traditional Ottoman waterfront mansion located along the shores of the Bosporus. The composition showcases the power dynamics of the meeting, with the Grand Vizier prominently positioned at the far end of the room, while the ambassador and his delegation stand in a line of respect, their faces obscured by shadows. The richly decorated interior and the panoramic view of the Bosporus through the windows are detailed with historical accuracy, making the painting a valuable historical record of Ottoman court life.