Portrait of Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali in 1725

Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali FRS (Arabic: محمد بن علي أبغالي) was a Moroccan Ambassador to Great Britain, from 14 August 1725 to February 1727.[1]

He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1727.[2][3][4] He corresponded with Martin Folkes.[5]

Career

In the 1720s, Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali served as Ismail Ibn Sharif's final ambassador to England.[6] Appointed by the Alaouite emperor, Abgali traveled to London to engage with King George I.[6] During his time in England, he attended various arts events, including a play by Nicholas Rowe and performances featuring Commedia dell'arte, a theatrical form that originated in Italy and gained popularity across Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries.[6]

Abgali's stay allowed him to interact with notable figures and experience the cultural and artistic aspects of London and Europe.[6] English artist, Enoch Seeman, painted a portrait of the Moroccan diplomat, which remains preserved in England.[6] This 400,000-euro valued artwork, depicting Abgali in traditional attire, has been displayed on multiple occasions in the United Kingdom, and is said to have two versions.[6] On February 14, 1727, Abgali returned to his country, Morocco.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Goodwood: Art and Architecture, Sport and Family, Rosemary Baird, frances lincoln ltd, 2007, ISBN 978-0-7112-2769-9
  2. ↑ L'état présent de la Grande-Bretagne et de l'Irlande sous le règne de George II, Volume 3, Edward Chamberlayne, 1728
  3. ↑ The present state of Great Britain and Ireland, Guy Miege, J. Brotherton, 1738
  4. ↑ Burcardi Gotthelflii Struvii Introductio in notitiam rei literariae et usum bibliothecarum, Burkhard Gotthelf Struve, Johann Christoph Colerus, Michael Lilienthal, Henr. Ludov. Broenner, 1754
  5. ↑ "A Note on the Correspondence of Martin Folkes, P.R.S.", R. E. W. Maddison, Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Jan., 1954), pp. 100-109
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali, an ambassador who loves science and art". Yabiladi.
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