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| Until recently, this
portrait was believed to have been painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence
in the early 1800’s when Romanticism
was in vogue, especially in England. Romanticism was a
period in which art was characterized by heightened emotionalism;
dramatic, exotic settings; and majesty and distinction in portraits.
At the time this portrait was painted, England had just defeated Napoleon
and portraits of those who shared the triumph over Napoleon were popular. Sir Sidki came to London as the Turkish Ambassador during the Napoleonic wars. In this portrait he wears the red tarbush and the official blue–and-gold uniform of the Turkish official. Sir Sidki is also seated on a divan, or sofa, a piece of furniture introduced into Europe by the Ottoman Turks. In the background rise minarets and the central dome of Hagia Sofia, one of Istanbul’s most famous buildings.  (For Grades 3-5) What do you see in this artwork? What can we discover about Sidki Efendi by looking at his portrait? Is he important? How can you tell? What is an ambassador? Is this portrait painted from real life or from the artist’s imagination? How can you tell? What items in this painting show the viewer that the subject is from Turkey? |
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UnKnown (British School) England Sidki Efendi, Turkish Ambassador To The Court Of Saint James Oil on canvas, early 19th century Gift of Anne R. and Amy Putnam 1943:42 © San Diego Museum of Art |
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