Collections | Travelling | Royal and diplomatic visits | Ottoman and Arab diplomatic visits [20 Objects]

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Introduction to the Chapter

Ambassador Mohammed ibn 'Abd al-Malik, Pasha of Tangier, visits Vienna on February 14, 1783

After 1783

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Vienna, Austria

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 Justification for this item

Austrian diplomatic relations with Morocco began in the late 18th century.

Le consul Joseph Raffo (painting)

1840

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Le consul Joseph Raffo (painting)

1840

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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The arrival of Suleiman Pasha, envoy of the Porte, in Giurgiu

1848

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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 Justification for this item

In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire faced increasing sedition in its eastern European provinces. In 1831, Süleyman Pasha, the Ottoman sultan’s envoy, was dispatched to Romania to investigate goings-on there. With his troops gathered around him for the purpose of intimidation, he is seen here meeting with a Romanian delegation in Giurgiu, a Romanian port on the Danube.

The arrival of Suleiman Pasha, envoy of the Porte, in Giurgiu

1848

National Museum of Romanian History

Bucharest, Romania

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Le général Khaireddine (painting)

1852

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Le général Khaireddine (painting)

1852

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Mohamed Sadok Pacha Bey (painting)

1861

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Mohamed Sadok Pacha Bey (painting)

1861

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Painting of Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy

1862

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Painting of Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy

1862

Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd

Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia

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Portrait of Sultan Abdülaziz (1830–1876)

1867

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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 Justification for this item

In 1867, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz (Abdülaziz) was the first Ottoman sultan to visit Europe. He subsequently sustained particularly strong links with Britain, France and Russia, although the latter repeatedly supported rebels in the Ottomans’ eastern European provinces.

Portrait of Sultan Abdülaziz (1830–1876)

1867

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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Exposition Universelle - Their Royal Imperial Majesties and the Viceroy of Egypt visit the Temple of Edfu

1867

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

Royal visits from the Arab and Ottoman world often coincided with World\'s Trade Fairs in London or Paris. In 1867, Isma‘il Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt, visited the French emperor and his wife Eugénie in Paris. Here, they are pictured on a tour of the “Egyptian Park”, which was intended, at least in part, to celebrate and consolidate relations with Egypt.

‘Abd-al-Hamid (Abdülhamid) II (1842–1918)

After 1876

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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 Justification for this item

In 1867, ‘Abd-al-Hamid (later ‘Abd al-Hamid II or Abdülhamid II), accompanied his uncle, Sultan ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, on what was the first visit by an Ottoman sultan to Europe, including Austria, France and England.

‘Abd-al-Hamid (Abdülhamid) II (1842–1918)

After 1876

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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A plan showing the seats assigned to guests at the gala dinner offered by the Italian King in honour of the Ambassador from Morocco, who visited Italy in June 1890

1890

Central State Archives of Italy

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

This seating plan provides fascinating testimony to the elaborate and often rigid European ceremonial with which diplomatic staff from the Arab and Ottoman world had to familiarise themselves when attending official functions.

The Moroccan Embassy in Rome

1890

State Library of Modern and Contemporary History

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

This image provides a fascinating glimpse at the challenges underlying 19th-century diplomatic encounters: the costumes and poses of the Moroccan dignitaries and their Italian counterparts subtly suggest very different world views and attitudes.

The Moroccan Embassy in Rome

1890

State Library of Modern and Contemporary History

Rome, Italy

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The Moroccan Embassy in Rome

1890

State Library of Modern and Contemporary History

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

This collage shows scenes from the Moroccan ambassador’s visit to Rome in 1890. Pictured are: the ambassador’s interpreter Lamfaddal Elkabbagi; the ambassador himself in his carriage; his servants Hamed and Pà Nadan; and two children, all of whom are part of the ambassador’s entourage.

The Moroccan Embassy in Rome

1890

State Library of Modern and Contemporary History

Rome, Italy

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Photograph of a diplomatic visit to England

Early 20th century

General Library and Archives

Tetouan, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

From the 19th to the early 20th century (1904), Morocco maintained particularly strong relations with Great Britain. This image shows M. Hajj Muhammad al-Zebdi, the envoy of Moroccan Sultan Mulay al-Hasan I, with his entourage at the court of Queen Victoria in London.

Photograph of a diplomatic visit to England

Early 20th century

General Library and Archives

Tetouan, Morocco

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Photograph of diplomatic visit to England

Early 20th century

General Library and Archives

Tetouan, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

Throughout the 19th and into the early 20th century, the strong ties Morocco maintained with Great Britain in particular greatly influenced the internal politics, administration and economy of the country. ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abd al-Sadiq al-Rifi, ambassador to Sultan Mulay ‘Abd al-‘Aziz of Morocco, was sent to the court of King Edward VII in 1902.

Photograph of diplomatic visit to England

Early 20th century

General Library and Archives

Tetouan, Morocco

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Izzedin Yusuf Effendi (1875–1916)

1916

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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Izzedin Yusuf Effendi (1875–1916)

1916

Austrian National Library

Vienna, Austria

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Letter of Sultan Mehmet V to Emperor Karl I

9 February 1917

Austrian State Archives

Vienna, Austria

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Letter of Sultan Mehmet V to Emperor Karl I

9 February 1917

Austrian State Archives

Vienna, Austria

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On the Royal Ship Marsala

1920

Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

In 1920, Italy recognised Idris al-Sanusi’s British-endorsed status as Emir of Cyrenaica and invited him to Rome to meet the King. After Italy’s attack on Libya, Idris went into exile in Egypt and encouraged anti-Italian guerrilla warfare.

On the Royal Ship Marsala

1920

Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies

Rome, Italy

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El Sayyid Muhammad Idris al-Mahdi al Senussi (1889–1983), from 1916 Chief of the Senussi Muslim order

1920

Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

Sayyid Muhammad Idris al-Mahdi al-Sanusi (1889–1983), who had been head of the Sufi Sanusi order since 1916, proved sympathetic towards European interests in what is now Libya. He later became King Idris I of Libya.

Set of pictures documenting the visit of King Fu`ad to Italy

1927

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Alexandria, Egypt

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 Justification for this item

In 1917, the British de facto rulers of Egypt had selected Ahmad Fu’ad II (1868–1936) to become the first King of Egypt. During his subsequent European tour in 1927, an important stop was made in Italy with which Egypt held very close ties, not least due to the large and influential Italian community residing its midst. Here, the king is pictured visiting an electrical power station at Santa Croce, in the Veneto region.

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Introduction to the Chapter