Portret van Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha - Johann Alexander Böner

A formal 17th-century engraving by Johann Alexander Böner depicting the Ottoman Grand Vizier Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha.

This engraving by Johann Alexander Böner depicts Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha, the influential Grand Vizier to Suleiman the Magnificent. The portrait is executed in the formal style characteristic of late 17th-century European printmaking. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a common convention for portraiture of the period, which directs the viewer's attention to the facial features and the elaborate turban.

Böner employs precise line work to define the textures of the subject's clothing and the folds of the headgear. The shading is achieved through a system of parallel lines and cross-hatching, which creates a sense of volume and depth. The inscription below the portrait identifies the figure as 'Ibraim Pascia Visir Agha di Giannizzari', reflecting the European fascination with Ottoman political figures during this era.

As a German engraver active in Nuremberg, Böner produced a wide range of works, including portraits of contemporary figures and historical subjects. This print is typical of the period's interest in documenting the appearance of foreign dignitaries and military leaders. The technical execution demonstrates the disciplined approach of the Nuremberg school of printmakers, who prioritised clarity and structural accuracy. The composition is balanced and restrained, focusing on the dignity of the sitter rather than decorative embellishment. The print remains a record of how Ottoman figures were visualised and interpreted by European artists in the centuries following their peak political influence.