Gentile Bellini: Seated Scribe (1479-81)

 

(Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, USA)

A drawing made by the Italian artist Gentile Bellini (1429-1507). Gentile Bellini was a Venetian artist who served as state painter to the Republic of Venice. As part of the peace settlement between Venice and the Ottoman empire, Bellini was sent to Istanbul as sultan Mehmed II was very interested in the art and culture of Italy. Bellini produced several paintings and sketches there, including a portrait of Mehmed II. This piece shows a scribe at work. As the sheet is finished with colours and gold, this one was probably intended for the collection of the sultan himself. Painting from 1479-1481.