MUSTAFA III

MUSTAPHA III

Nat. d. 20 Dec. 1715. In Sol: evect. d. 29.Oct: 1757

J.E. Nilson fec: et excud; A.V.C.P.S.C.M.

Augsburg, c. 1670

Engraving…23 x 16,5 cm…

MUSTAFA III (1717-1774)…Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1757 until his death…He sought to modernise the Empire but was not strong enough to overcome the reactionary Janissaries and Imams…However he did manage to get foreign advisors to reform the infantry and artillery, and ordered the founding of scientific academies…Knowing the weakness of the army he avoided war, allowing Russia to annex the Crimea…

Portrait in elaborate border with three figures responding to the image…