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Ascibasi, or Commander of the Janisseries in ceremonial dress

Anonymous Greek artist

1809

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Ascibasi, or Commander of the Janisseries in ceremonial dress is a 1809 watercolor by Anonymous Greek artist, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Anonymous Greek artist
When & what style?: 1809 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

The story of this work

Overview

The artwork depicts an official in an ornate uniform adorned with chains and metal plates, wearing a Janissary headdress. Part of a series commissioned by Stratford Canning during his diplomatic mission to Istanbul in 1808, the piece was created by an anonymous Greek artist, possibly associated with Konstantin Kapidagli’s circle. The artist blended Ottoman watercolor techniques with European perspective and representation. The series, originally bound in a volume, was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895 from Canning’s daughter, Charlotte.

Read the full account in the museum source.