Zafername or Tarih-i Sultan Süleyman, written by Seyyid Lokman, illustrated by Nakkas Osman, Ottoman, 1579AD. Ms. T 413, Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.

The Funeral of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, 1566


A larger image of the left panel of the Funeral of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent
T 413.114. Source: Chester Beatty library, Dublin

The Ottoman army escorting Süleyman's body back to Istanbul. In 1566, the sultan died of natural causes just before the Ottoman victory over the Hapsburgs at Szigetvar (Hungary). His death was not immediately announced, but the army returned to Istanbul. Left-half of double-page illustration
A larger image of the right panel of the Funeral of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent
T 413.113. Source: Chester Beatty library

Süleyman's body escorted back to Istanbul by the Ottoman army. In 1566, the sultan died of natural causes just before the Ottoman victory over the Hapsburgs at Szigetvar (Hungary). His death was not immediately announced, but the army returned to Istanbul. Right-half of double-page illustration.
1579 (AH 987), Istanbul, Turkey
Ottoman patronage of the arts of the book (as well as architecture and ceramics) peaked in the sixteenth century. The Ottomans were especially interested in the recording of historical events and, as is evident from this double-page painting, they developed a simple and direct style of historical illustration that aptly suited their needs. This versified account of the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520-66) was written by the court historian Luqman at the behest of Suleyman's grandson, Murad III (r. 1574-95).

Back to the Zafername or Tarih-i Sultan Süleyman, written by Seyyid Lokman, illustrated by Nakkas Osman, Ottoman, 1579AD. Ms. T 413, Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.


Other Illustrations of Ottoman Janissaries (Janizary, Yeniceri)