Artwork
Portrait of Mehmet Ali Pasha
Portrait of Mehmet Ali Pasha is a watercolor drawing by the Romanticist artist John Frederick Lewis. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Lewis sketched him and his family while another artist, David Wilkie, got a painting commission from the Pasha himself.
This watercolour shows Mehmet Ali Pasha, a powerful ruler who shaped modern Egypt. Painted in 1844, it captures a man who took control after removing the old leaders in 1811.
Lewis sketched him and his family while another artist, David Wilkie, got a painting commission from the Pasha himself. A letter from 1845 mentions seeing the artist on his travels.
Look up the next door: artist: Lewis, John Frederick (RA POWCS).
Overview
This watercolour drawing, created in 1844 by John Frederick Lewis, depicts Mehmet Ali Pasha, the influential Viceroy of Egypt who transformed the country through autocratic rule after seizing power in 1811.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures Mehmet Ali Pasha, a pivotal figure in Egyptian history known for ruthlessly modernizing the country after his violent overthrow of the Mamluk rulers in 1811. The subject's significance extends to his complex relationship with the Ottoman Empire, to which he theoretically owed allegiance.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work showcases Lewis's skill in capturing likenesses, as attested by a contemporary who deemed it the 'best' and 'only good likeness' of the Pasha seen.
History & Provenance
Lewis sketched Mehmet Ali Pasha and his family during his time in Cairo. A letter from Lord Elphinstone (dated 24 September 1845) mentions viewing this 'very spirited sketch' shortly after seeing the Pasha himself, highlighting the work's immediacy and accuracy.
Context
The portrait was created amidst a flurry of artistic interest in the Pasha, with David Wilkie also commissioned to paint his portrait. Lewis's work reflects the European fascination with Oriental subjects during this period.
Legacy
While the broader impact of this specific portrait on Lewis's oeuvre or the broader artistic canon is not detailed in available sources, it remains a notable example of his work in Egypt and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Frederick Lewis (1804–1876) was an English Orientalist painter. He specialized in Oriental and Mediterranean scenes in detailed watercolour or oils, very often repeating the same composition in a version in each…
A Greek Priest
Portrait, head and shoulders, facing left, of an oriental man wearing a white turban
'Redgrave reading at Mortham Tower'
Abu Daood, Shaikh of the Coptic Quarter, in Cairo
Portrait, full-length, facing right, of a Man in Arab dress, possibly smoking a cheroot
Baltadgi
Moullah Chéite - (à Gandjà ou Elisavetopol.)
Western Gentleman in Oriental Costume
Mehmet Aga Salam
Sketches made during the Campaign of 1854-55 in the Crimea, Circassia and Constantinople