Portret van Süleyman II, sultan van het Ottomaanse Rijk 1658 - 1677

Wallerant Vaillant created this mezzotint portrait of Süleyman the Second, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, during the 17th century. It’s interesting to consider how the image reflects the cultural exchange and sometimes fraught relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire at that time. Europeans were fascinated by the exoticism and power of the Ottoman world, but also wary of its military might and religious differences. Portraits like this one, circulating within Europe, helped shape European perceptions, solidifying the image of the Sultan as an almost mythical figure. Looking at the print, we see Süleyman depicted with dignity, his turban a clear marker of his status and religious affiliation. The soft mezzotint technique gives the portrait a somewhat romantic feel, which could either humanize the Sultan for a European audience or further exoticize him. To fully understand the image, we might delve into diplomatic records or period travelogues to find out more. The meaning of art is always contingent on such factors.