Maps, prints, and photographs

Treasures in the Royal Library

Melchior Lorck: Portrait of Prince Ismael. 1557/1562.
Department of Maps, Prints, and Photographs, Müllers Pinakotek 24, 7 II 2º

Portrait of Prince Ismael, diplomatic representative to the court of the Ottoman Sultan Soliman I, made 1557/1562.
Melchior Lorck (1526/27-after 1588) was the most brilliant graphic artist in 16th century Denmark. He was born in Flensburg of distinguished parents. The Danish kings took up residence in their house when visiting the city.
In 1549 King Christian III gave Lorck financial support to go on an educational journey. Lorck’s wanderlust took him widely around Europe and in the end to Vienna where he was employed by Emperor Charles V. From 1555 to 1559 he was one of three ambassadors sent by the Emperor to Constantinople. Here he made a series of drawings that later were used as models for woodcuts.
Copperplate.

40.8 x 29 cm.
42.5 x 36 cm.

Reference: Erik Fischer, Mikael Bøgh Rasmussen, Ernst Jonas Bencard, Melchior Lorck, 5 vols., Copenhagen: The Royal Library ; Vandkunsten Publishers, 2009-2010.

See also the first edition of Lorck’s woodcuts Wolgerissene und Geschnittene Figuren.

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