Public domain
The Meal Offered to Ambassador Cornelis Calkoen
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
As part of the ceremony, Calkoen attended a meeting in the divan or council chamber of the palace, after which he and his retinue were offered a meal by the grand vizier. This meal is shown here. At centre, across from the grand vizier, Calkoen sits on a low stool, flanked by two interpreters. The sultan could listen (unnoticed) behind the small grilled window above –hence called ‘the Eye of the Sultan’.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineDe maaltijd aangeboden aan ambassadeur Cornelis Calkoen. c. 1727 - c. 1730. Jean Baptiste Vanmour. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
