Abdul Aziz

1 portrait

Abdul Aziz

by James Jacques Tissot
watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 30 October 1869
11 3/4 in. x 7 1/8 in. (298 mm x 181 mm)
Purchased, 1934
Primary Collection
NPG 4707(1)

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Sitterback to top

Abdul Aziz (1830-1876), Sultan of Turkey. Sitter in 5 portraits.

Artistback to top

James Jacques Tissot (1836-1902). Artist of 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

At the time of this caricature, Abdul Aziz was under pressure from European powers seeking to establish an influence in his domains. The Sultan is shown holding personifications of Greece and Egypt, as a European figure prepares to seize him. A political cartoon as much as a caricature, the magazine did not repeat this approach. The accompanying text ended with a prescient warning: "it will be well, not only for Turkey, but for Europe, if …the Sultan becomes master of his own house".

Linked publicationsback to top

Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 127
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 2