The paintings depict the procession of the 15 year old Sultan Mehmed IV through Istanbul on 24 September 1657. Claes Ralamb commissioned 20 paintings to immortalise the event. 14 of them are on display here.
In 1657 Claes Ralamb (1622-1698) was sent as the Swedish envoy to Istanbul. He war deputed by Karl X Gustav to discuss the European war situation and negotiate with the Sultan. In all probability, the paintings were painted after Ralamb`s return to Sweden. Their sources included Ralamb`s diaries and the costume album he brought back from Istanbul. The artist is unknown.
Tab: R.
1 Wizirnes Laquaijer woro 6 st:
2 Stora wiziren sielff
3 <…>
4 Kejsarens Dwergar woro 8 st. kallas Giugeleri
5 Förde Kejsarens Jakthundar kallas samsungiler
1 Слуг визиря было 6.
2 Великий визирь сам.
4 Султанских карликов было 8, называемых джуджи (cüce[ler]).
5 Султанские псари, называемые самсунджи (samsuncı[lar]*).
*Тур. samsun – порода собак вроде мастиффа.
