Portret van een Turkse sultan 1615 - 1676

This is Theodor Matham’s etching of a Turkish Sultan, made in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The print offers a window into the complex relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire at the time. It was a period marked by both conflict and trade. The Ottomans were often seen as exotic, powerful, and dangerous. This image plays into that perception, presenting the Sultan in a formal, idealized manner, emphasizing his authority through dress and pose. We see the Sultan framed within an oval, a common visual language of portraiture intended to convey status. The inscription below, with the words "Sultan Osman, Turcarum Imperator," reinforces this sense of power. As historians, we can look at similar prints, written accounts, and diplomatic records to better understand the cultural exchange and political tensions that shaped the creation and reception of this image. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on this historical and institutional context.