A detailed 1601 engraving by Aegidius Sadeler II, capturing the likeness of the Persian ambassador Cuchein Ollibeg during his visit to the Prague court.

This engraving by Aegidius Sadeler II depicts the Persian diplomat Cuchein Ollibeg, who visited the court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague at the turn of the seventeenth century. Sadeler, a Flemish printmaker who held the position of court engraver to the Habsburgs, produced this portrait from life, as indicated by the inscription 'ad vivum' at the base of the print. The work captures the sitter in a three-quarter view, enclosed within an oval frame that bears a Latin inscription detailing his title and role as an envoy of the Persian Shah.

The technical execution demonstrates the precision characteristic of Sadeler's work. He employs a system of fine, parallel lines and cross-hatching to model the facial features, the texture of the fur-lined garment, and the folds of the elaborate turban. The shading provides a sense of volume, while the background is filled with a fine, radiating cross-hatched pattern that directs attention toward the subject. Below the portrait, the inclusion of Persian script alongside the Latin text reflects the cross-cultural nature of the diplomatic mission and the interest of the Prague court in global affairs during this period.

Sadeler was highly regarded for his ability to translate the qualities of painting into the medium of engraving. His work for the imperial court often involved reproducing paintings by other masters, yet this portrait remains a notable example of his own observational skill. The print serves as a record of the diplomatic exchanges between the Safavid Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. It provides a clear view of the attire and appearance of a Persian official as perceived by a European artist in the early modern era. The print is a clean, monochromatic study of form and character, typical of the high-quality portraiture produced in the Prague circle of Rudolf II.