A Closer Look
The Magnus Princeps Relief
A rediscovered portrait medallion of Sultan Mehmed II, Conqueror of Constantinople
Take a closer look at The Magnus Princeps Relief, the star lot of our upcoming Islamic and Indian Art auction on 21 May in London.
This rediscovered Renaissance bronze portrait medallion, produced by an Italian artist around 1450, depicts the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II—better known to the world as “Mehmed the Conqueror” for his capture of Constantinople from the Christians in 1453.
The earliest known portrait of an Islamic sitter by a European artist
The importance of this medallion cannot be overstated: it would been produced as a personal commission for Mehmed, using drawings taken from life. It is the earliest known portrait of the Sultan, and indeed of any confirmed Islamic sitter by a European artist.
It is also the only portrait depicting him prior to the conquest of Constantinople, predating all other known portraits by at least 20 years. It can be seen to embody the young Sultan's imperial aspirations as the inheritor of the Roman Empire.
Take a closer look:
Sultan Mehmed II is depicted here as a young man, in his late teens, at a time when he is still seeking to legitimise his reign. He sets his sights on the greatest gamble of all: the conquest of Constantinople—the largest Christian city in Europe—a feat which had already been attempted and failed by earlier Ottoman rulers, including his father.
Around the portrait is the Latin inscription "MAGNVS PRINCEPS ET MAGNVS AMIRAS SULTANVS DNS MEHOMET" which translates to "Great Prince and Great Amir, Sultan Lord Mehomet". The lack of imperial title in the inscription confirms that it was made prior to the Conquest of Constantinople, and uses the same titles as those on a treaty between the Ottomans and Venice in 1446.
The cast piercing placed exactly at the geometric centre of the medallion implies that it was made to be worn. It is therefore believed to have been a personal talisman which encapsulated Mehmed's imperial vision.
The undecorated reverse—extremely unusual for a portrait medallion—can be seen as further support for this hypothesis: the place where the sitter would generally boast of their achievements, Mehmed intentionally leaves blank.
The prominent features of the Sultan are echoed in important later depictions of him, such as the painting by Gentile Bellini in the National Gallery, London. This is a portrait that was taken from life, harkening from a period in his life from which almost no direct material evidence survives.
Gentile Bellini, The Sultan Mehmet II
Gentile Bellini, The Sultan Mehmet II
This extraordinary lot will be coming under the hammer on 21 May with an estimate of £1,500,000 - £2,000,000.
To find out more, contact oliver.white@bonhams.com.
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