Rare painting of Hurrem Sultan sold for $173K at London auction

A rare painting of Hurrem Sultan, known in the Wests as Roxelana, was sold at a London auction on Wednesday for $173,000, Anadolu Agency reported.

The sale came as part of an auction called ‘Arts of the Islamic World & India’ by Sotheby’s, one of the world’s largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles.

The oil painting dates back to the late 16th-early 17th century and depicts the wife of the legendary Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent.

Originally from modern-day western Ukraine, Roxelana entered the Ottoman monarch’s harem and quickly became his favourite. He broke convention by allowing her to bear not just one son, but four. He then broke convention again by marrying her.

Roxelana was renowned for also helping Sultan Suleiman run the Ottoman Empire. While he was away on campaigns, she would write to him and keep him updated on developments in the capital.

Hurrem Sultan was also a major sponsor of architecture and charitable foundations, including in Jerusalem. Suleiman the Magnificent, also known as al-Qanuni (the lawgiver), was the longest-reigning Ottoman Sultan, having ruled for 46 years until his death in 1566.

READ: Online exhibit honors Suleiman the Magnificent