The artwork titled “Sultan Soliman” was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1526. It is part of the Northern Renaissance art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture. This drawing can be found in the collection of the Musée Bonnat in Bayonne, France.
The image depicts a profile portrait of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who was the tenth and longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until his death in 1566. Dürer’s craftsmanship is evident through the meticulous detail given to Suleiman’s features, from the contours of his face to the texture of his hair and clothing. The portrait shows the Sultan with a notable turban, which was a symbol of authority and part of the royal attire in the Ottoman Empire. The expression captured is thoughtful and dignified. Dürer’s signature and annotations are visible, adding historical value to the drawing. The linear quality and attention to detail are characteristic of Dürer’s work and his mastery of the engraving and drawing techniques prevalent during the Northern Renaissance. This artwork not only serves as a symbol of cross-cultural engagement between the Renaissance artists and the Ottoman world but also showcases Dürer’s ability to capture the essence of his subjects with refined realism.
