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Tercüman, or Dragoman

Anonymous Greek artist

1809

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Tercüman, or Dragoman 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 white silk robes and a red jacket with fur-trimmed sleeves, shown making an obeisance to the right. Created by an anonymous Greek artist associated with the circle of Konstantin Kapidagli, the piece blends Ottoman artistic techniques with European perspective. It was part of a larger series commissioned by Stratford Canning during his diplomatic mission to Istanbul in 1808–1809. The Victoria and Albert Museum acquired the original set of drawings in 1895 from Canning’s daughter, Charlotte.

Read the full account in the museum source.