A pair of panoramas depicting the procession (Sefer-i Humayun) of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in front of the Szigetvar Castle, Italian school, 17th century

Ex-collection of the Princes of Hanover

These two paintings depict a procession of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (r.1520-66) and his army in a scene most likely corresponding to the Siege of Szigetvar Castle that took place in 1566 in Hungary. 

In the first painting, a procession of Janissaries, archers, and high-ranking officials is depicted on the right side, positioned in front of Szigetvar Castle. In the centre of the composition, five unmounted fresh horses, reserved for the Sultan, are shown. On the left, Sultan Suleyman is portrayed riding towards the group of horses, preparing to mount one.

The second painting illustrates the continuation of the procession, featuring the Ottoman military band, known as the mehter, playing musical instruments. These include large drums carried by horses and camels. The mehter band held a significant role for the Ottomans during battles and sieges, traditionally performing to boost the morale of soldiers before and during combat. Following the band are high-ranking officials and foot soldiers, distinguished by their headgear.

In both paintings, the Janissaries are depicted wearing their typical sixteenth century headwear. Similar headwear can be found in prints of Janissaries published in the sixteenth-century work Moeurs et fachons de faire de Turcz by Pieter Coecke van Aelst (see print 28.85.7a.b in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. no.28.85.1-.7a, b).

These paintings are likely inspired by two closely related seventeenth century processional paintings, also depicting the Sultan’s procession and part of the collection of the Princes of Hanover, featured in the exhibition catalogue Image of the Turks in 17th Century Europe (12 July-9 October 2005, Sakip Sabanci Museum, Istanbul, pp.139-141, cat. nos.12 &1 3).