Very rare portrait of 'Suleiman the Magnificent' will be auctioned in London

LONDON, UK - MARCH 29: A rare 16th-century portrait of Suleiman the Magnificent, the longest-reigning Ottoman sultan, will be presented to collectors’ interest on Wednesday (Mar. 31).The auction house Sotheby's In England will sell some artworks related to the Islamic world and India under the title "The Islamic World and the Arts of India"The painting is a likeness of two 16th century portraits, according to the auction house.It is associated with a portrait attributed to Cristofano Dell' Altissimo in Galleria Degli Uffizi, Florence and a smaller portrait of Archduke Ferdinand II exhibited in Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.“This painting is a newly found version of this likeness, showing Süleyman The Lawgiver - Kanuni Suleyman, as Turks know him (1494-1566) -- allegedly at the age of forty-three,” said the auction house’s catalog.“This was about the time he conquered Iraq from the Safavids of Iran and roundly defeated the fleet assembled by the Pope and his allies at the Battle of Preveza.”The painting “opens a window onto a narrative of artistic exchanges between Venice and the Ottomans in the 1530s,” according to Sotheby’s.Head of Auction Sales, Middle East at Sotheby's Benedict Carter told Anadolu Agency that from Spain to Turkey, Iran to India, a total of 183 pieces of artwork will available for sale from all over the Islamic world.Carter shows the painting to Anadolu Agency Video News (AAVN) on Monday (Mar. 29) saying that "it "dates from the late sixteen to early 17th century by beloved Paolo Giovio." noting that "another that was made for Schloss Ambras Innsbrucks. It now hangs in Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna."Besides the auction covers a variety of pieces consisting of metal works, ceramics, textile products, rugs, carpets and astronomical tools that date back to the 9th century to the early 20th century, it also includes the portrait of Suleiman the Magnificent. (Footage by Hasan Esen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)