The Murder of Patrona Halil and his Fellow Rebels

On 28 September 1730 a revolt broke out in Istanbul, led by Patrona Halil, a sailor of Albanian origin. Within days Sultan Ahmed III had given up the throne to his nephew Mahmud I, and for the next two months the rebels acted almost like a second government. They pushed for posts and favours, and Patrona Halil had a Greek butcher who had lent him money appointed prince of Moldavia, an office the man never actually took up.

On 25 November the new sultan summoned the rebel leaders to the palace under a pretext, and there they were killed one by one. Vanmour puts several moments of that day on one canvas. At the right Patrona Halil is being overpowered, and at the left the servant who had been minding his horse already lies dead. In the middle the grand vizier steps out of a doorway with one of the chief judges and a treasurer, while an officer of the guard gives orders to a troop of janissaries in battle dress.