Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali Explained

Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali FRS 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]

Notes and References

  1. https://books.google.com/books?id=3TkOIfaghEgC&dq=Mohammed+Ben+Ali+Abgali&pg=PA218 Goodwood: Art and Architecture, Sport and Family
  2. https://books.google.com/books?id=6k0UAAAAQAAJ&dq=Mohammed+Ben+Ali+Abgali&pg=PA152 L'état présent de la Grande-Bretagne et de l'Irlande sous le règne de George II
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=BDs2AAAAMAAJ&q=Mohammed+Ben+Ali+Abgali%27%27&pg=RA1-PA157 The present state of Great Britain and Ireland
  4. https://books.google.com/books?id=Tj0VAAAAQAAJ&dq=Mohammed+Ben+Ali+Abgali&pg=PA989 Burcardi Gotthelflii Struvii Introductio in notitiam rei literariae et usum bibliothecarum
  5. https://www.jstor.org/pss/531103 "A Note on the Correspondence of Martin Folkes, P.R.S."
  6. Web site: Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali, an ambassador who loves science and art. Yabiladi.