This artwork portrays a jurist standing before an architectural niche, surrounded by scrolls and balanced scales, reflecting the legal world shaped by Sultan Suleiman, known in history as Suleiman the Lawgiver. The image evokes the atmosphere of codification, deliberation and judicial clarity that defined his reign. Although not a literal reconstruction of a specific moment, the composition captures the spirit of an empire in which law was treated as a central pillar of governance and a defining marker of civilisation.
Historically, Suleiman, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566, undertook one of the most comprehensive legal reforms of the early modern world. His Kanun laws were a collection of secular regulations that complemented the religious framework of sharia, addressing matters of taxation, land tenure, criminal justice, market supervision and administrative discipline. He standardised legal practice across a vast empire, reducing corruption and ensuring consistency between provincial courts. Judges were trained to interpret both Kanun and sharia, and legal documents were preserved with great care. Suleiman’s reforms strengthened the state, protected subjects from arbitrary abuse and established a legal culture admired by contemporary observers from Europe and the Muslim world alike.
The balanced scales in the artwork symbolise the central aim of Kanun: justice that is firm, predictable and accessible. Under Suleiman, legal review became more structured, punishments more regulated and administrative procedures more transparent. His laws remained in use for centuries and formed part of the foundation of Ottoman governance until the nineteenth century. European diplomats and chroniclers often commented on the fairness and order of Ottoman courts, noting that legal protection extended to Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. Suleiman’s approach reflected a vision of rulership in which power was restrained by principle and where written law was a tool for equity rather than domination.
Displayed in a modern interior, this artwork becomes a tribute to the legacy of a ruler who understood that justice is the architecture of society. It invites the viewer to reflect on the long tradition of lawmaking in the Islamic world and the ways in which Suleiman’s reforms shaped the stability and cohesion of one of history’s greatest empires. His Kanun stands as a reminder that strength and fairness are not opposites but allies in the work of governance.
Every artwork in the Riwayah collection is available in four premium display formats, crafted to suit every home and interior style. Our canvas prints offer a rich, textured finish that brings depth and character to each piece, stretched on FSC-certified wooden bars for a refined gallery feel. For a minimalist and versatile look, our magnetic hangers use durable pine wood to hold your print securely without marking it, making it easy to change artwork whenever you like. Those seeking a classic, museum-style presentation can choose our premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash with visible natural grain and protected with shatterproof plexiglass. And for a sleek, contemporary finish, our aluminium frames pair clean black metal with heavyweight matte paper for a polished, modern aesthetic. All prints use FSC-certified paper and high-quality inks, arrive ready to hang or assemble, and are produced on demand in the UK to reduce waste and ensure the highest standard of craftsmanship.
