Search the Collection

Mahmud II

(1784-1839), Ottoman sultan, reigned 1808-39

Sitter associated with 2 portraits
Mahmud II was the thirtieth Ottoman sultan, succeeding his half brother Mustafa IV. He bought about significant reforms in administration and reorganisation of the regime. In 1826, he was responsible for dismantling the Janissary corps, an elite Ottoman army of troops, and the subsequent establishment of a new western-style army. Under his reign the Ottoman Empire began to lose territories, Greece was the first to break away from the Ottoman Empire and gain independence. The consolidation of the Ottoman Empire through defeat in wars and loss of territory may have contributed to making new, westernised reforms that were continued by his sons and successors Abdulmecid I and Abdul Aziz, more successful.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

'The Spanish-bull-fight, - or - the Corsican-matador in danger -'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 11 July 1808
NPG D13046

Russian Diplomacy or A Negociation a la Militaire (Hans Karl von Diebitsch; Mahmud II)

by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 23 October 1829
NPG D40964

Related People

Abdülmecid I, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (son)
Abdul Aziz (son)

Groups

Place

Turkey

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

Mahmud II