Mechti Kuli Beg, ambassador of Shah 'Abbas I to the Court of Rudolf II, engraved by Aegidius Sad...

Mechti Kuli Beg, ambassador of Shah 'Abbas I to the Court of Rudolf II, engraved by Aegidius Sadeler II (d. 1629) after Esaye le Gillon (fl. 1604-05) Prague, 1605 copperplate engraving on paper, trimmed and laid down on later sheet 260 x 188 mm. (trimmed print); 286 x 199 mm. (sheet) Footnotes: Aegidius Sadeler was a Flemish painter and engraver. His early career took him to Frankfurt, Munich and Rome where he worked with several artists who subsequently worked for Rudolf's court. Once these artists moved to the Imperial court, they recommended Sadeler to the Emperor; in 1597 he was appointed to the court himself, where he became the most illustrious engraver of his time. This print depicts Mechti Kuli Beg, the ambassador of Shah 'Abbas, sent to Prague in a diplomatic capacity after Shah 'Abbas launched an attack on the eastern borders of the Ottoman Empire. Mechti Kuli Beg posed for this engraving whilst in Prague (ad vivum, 'from the life' in the text below the image). Two prints are now in the British Museum, London, inv.no.1868,0808.2488 and 1871,0812.4208; one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv.no.49.95.2202; one in the Royal Collection Trust, RCIN 618701; one in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, inv.no.E.5423-1919. See Sotheby's, Fine Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures, 14th December 1987, lot 123 for the original miniature painting by Esaye le Gillon, dated 1605, on which the engraving appears to have been based. The catalogue note there, which discusses Rudolf II and his court, suggests that Esaye le Gillon (not otherwise recorded) and Aegidius Sadeler may have been one and the same person. Lot 124 in the same sale was another painting by le Gillon of Sinal Khan, another Persian ambassador. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing