signed and inscribed ‘Georgius Wickgram pinxit./ D. Custodis excud.’ (in the plate) and with illegible ink inscription (recto)
engraving, watermark circle with a cross
30.8x 19.4 cm
The New Hollstein 932, first state (of two) [1]
A very fine impression with broad margins, there are some closed tears in the lower and right edges, there is some (faint) writing in graphite (recto and verso), there is some slight discolouration to the paper, the paper is in otherwise good condition

This engraving is a rare first state, before the plate was cut, and prior to its publication in Dominicus Custos’ most important publication, Atrium heroicum Caesarum, which contained 170 portraits of 16th century leaders, published around 1600 in Augsburg. Originally from Antwerp, Custos had settled in Augsburg in 1588 where he established a successful print publishing house and trained his two stepsons as well as his brother in the trade.

The sitter of this portrait is Cığalazade Yusuf Sinan Pasha, who served as a Grand Admiral of the Ottoman Navy (Kapudan Pasha, also known as Bassa) in which capacity he contributed to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. He furthermore defended Ottoman Hungary from Habsburg invasion and held the position of Grand Vizier—effectively the Sultan’s chief minister—but due to political complexities at court, his tenure lasted only 40 days. The present print is one of three depicting Ottoman rulers, each portrayed in an oval surrounded by a decorative border with attributes referring to the sitter. Somewhat mysteriously, the credited inventor of the compositions (or more likely the portraits), is George Wickgram, yet no painter with that name is known today.

[1] J. Diefenbacher, 'The New Hollstein. German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts. 1400-1700', Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, 2022, p. 184.