136 – 137 The imprisoned Sultan Bayazet before Tamerlane peoples involved in wars with the Ottoman Empire. These include Mongols, Persians, Poles, and Africans. In addition to the aesthetic appeal offered by the story thus presented, the conflict behind it was of great interest to the Republic of Venice, as it was also an adversary of the Ottoman Empire. At the time of the painting’s creation, the issues of the day included the supremacy of the Peloponnese and Crete, among other places. Presumably, the Dondi dell’Orologio family commissioned the painting.4 They greatly supported the Republic of Venice in this struggle. The Prussian King Frederick II acquired the work through Bonomo Algarotti for the decor of a guest apartment of the New Palace.5 Not only was it considered one of Celesti’s masterpieces, whose coloration was praised, the rendering of the ruler’s behaviour was also a subject of interest. According to the opinion of the time, both commanders violate the code of honour regarded as binding for princes, according to which defeated opponents should be able to keep their dignity. | FRANZISK A WINDT Detail from fig. 1
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