Sotheby’s to auction portrait of Mehmed II

ISTANBUL

Sultan Mehmed II (R) appears alongside another figure in the portrait.

One of three oil paint portraits depicting Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, known as Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, will be auctioned on July 8 by Sotheby’s London. Made by famous Venetian painter Gentile Bellini, the portrait will be put on auction for the first time. 

The portrait, painted either during the era of Sultan Mehmed II (1432-1481) or at a time very close to his era, is one of the highlights of the auction. It is the last example of its kind in a private collection and will be put up for sale at a price between 300,000-500,000 pounds ($464,000-$774,000). 

The sultan was composed with another figure in the portrait, who was estimated to be his son, Cem Sultan. The portrait has been owned by the same family for 200 years. 

Sultan Mehmed II conquered Istanbul in 1453 when he was 21 years old and transformed the city into a rich Ottoman capital. He invited Bellini to Istanbul in 1479 to draw his portrait.