View of Istanbul from the Dutch Embassy at Pera by Jean Baptiste Vanmour

View of Istanbul from the Dutch Embassy at Pera c. 1720 - 1737

jeanbaptistevanmour

charcoal drawing

possibly oil pastel

charcoal art

oil painting

underpainting

pastel chalk drawing

painting painterly

watercolour illustration

charcoal

watercolor

"View of Istanbul from the Dutch Embassy at Pera" is a large-scale oil painting by Jean Baptiste Vanmour, a Flemish artist active in the Ottoman Empire. The painting, dating back to the early 18th century, captures a panoramic view of Istanbul, showcasing the city's sprawling landscape, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara. The artist's meticulous attention to detail depicts the bustling urban life of the time, with figures and ships visible in the foreground and the distant hills. This artwork exemplifies Vanmour's skill in capturing the essence of Ottoman life through his masterful use of light, color, and perspective.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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The Palais d’Hollande, the Dutch embassy in Istanbul, has always been located on a hill in the diplomatic district of Pera (now Beyoğlu). Vanmour painted the view from the dining room, with the Asiatic section of Istanbul at left and the European area, with the Topkapı Sarayı (sultan’s palace), on a hill at right. The inlet in the fore-ground is the Golden Horn, with the Ottoman fleet. At left is the Bosporus.