Page 93 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

42a. Sultan Süleyman receiving Stephen Zápolya from the Nuzhet el-Esrar el-
Ahbar der Sefer-i Sigetvar of Ahmed Feridun Pa§a transcribed in 1568/1569
(Istanbul? Topkapi Sarayí Müzesi, H. 1339, fol. 16b)

sultan. Süleyman, clearly showing his advanced years and ill
health, is enthroned under an elaborate tent, flanked by his
vezirs and personal attendants. Spread on the ground is a
large carpet or textile with a central medallion adorned by
the same saz scrolls and rumis used to decorate bookbind-
ings. Stephen kneels in front of the sultan, holding his hat in
his hand. Members of his retinue stand at the edge of the
scene, also with their hats in their hands; one of them places
his hand over his heart and bows, demonstrating his deep re-
spect for the sultan.
The scene is at once ceremonial and emotional, dominated
by the stoical presence of the ailing sultan. The figures sur-
rounding him project a feeling of sadness and fatalism, as if
having a premonition that he would not return from this
campaign. The artist who injected such pathos and poignancy
into a static composition representing a routine activity was
indeed a master.
The representation of the fortress of Szigetvár (42b) dis-

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