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The article focuses on the Italian Renaissance painting "The Adoration of the Magi" by Andrea Mantegna, held in the collection of the John Paul Getty Museum. The author argues that the representation of the king Magus Balthasar is actually a portrait of Ottoman Empire Prince Cem. Cem was the son of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II and after his father's death he attempted to usurp the throne from his brother Bayezid II. His failure resulted in his living in places in Europe as a result of European Renaissance politics. The author also discusses Italian artist Gentile Bellini, Mantegna's brother-in-law, who visited Istanbul, Turkey in 1479-1481.

The article focuses on the Italian Renaissance painting "The Adoration of the Magi" by Andrea Mantegna, held in the collection of the John Paul Getty Museum. The author argues that the representation of the king Magus Balthasar is actually a portrait of Ottoman Empire Prince Cem. Cem was the son of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II and after his father's death he attempted to usurp the throne from his brother Bayezid II. His failure resulted in his living in places in Europe as a result of European Renaissance politics. The author also discusses Italian artist Gentile Bellini, Mantegna's brother-in-law, who visited Istanbul, Turkey in 1479-1481.