Sunday, October 7, 2012

Mechti Kuli Beg

Drawing
Published in Prague. 1605 AD
Material: paper.
Technique: engraving
Kept in the British Museum, UK
Source: [1]

This image is a rather confusing one. According to the British Museum, it is a portrait of Mechti Kuli Beg, -possibly Mehdi Qoli Beig, the Persian ambassador in Prague, half-length and slightly turned to left, a bird (probably a falcon) perched on his right hand, in oriental dress and wearing a turban.

The same image in Wikipedia is labeled as Ali Quli Beg, the nephew of the ambassador [2]. In case I come up with more information, I will post it here.