Sultan Ahmed III Crowned in the Mosque at Eyups (Aubry de La Mottraye's "Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa...," London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 17B)

Sultan Ahmed III Crowned in the Mosque at Eyups (Aubry de La Mottraye's "Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa...," London, 1724, vol. I, pl. 17B) is an important early work by the renowned English artist William Hogarth, dating to 1723-1724. Executed using the specialized techniques of etching and engraving, this print was commissioned as an illustration for Aubry de La Mottraye’s comprehensive 1724 travelogue detailing his extensive journeys. The image captures a momentous historical event: the enthronement ceremony of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III (reigned 1703-1730) within the sacred space of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Istanbul.

The composition details the vast mosque interiors, which are filled with numerous dignitaries and courtiers gathering to witness the elevation of the new Sultan. Hogarth’s precise rendering meticulously details the ceremonial costumes and the architecture of the revered mosque. The scene is populated exclusively by men, as dictated by the formal religious setting, emphasizing the grandeur and specific cultural context of the imperial proceedings. This early print demonstrates Hogarth’s technical mastery in graphic arts before he achieved widespread fame as a satirical painter. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this work provides a valuable visual record of 18th-century Ottoman imperial rituals as interpreted and documented by contemporary European observers. As a historical document, high-resolution images of the piece are often found within the public domain, ensuring Hogarth’s technical skill and historical contributions remain widely accessible for academic study.