Constantinople (Istanbul). Eski Sarayskiy garden. 1882

Vasily Polenov painted this view of Constantinople, now Istanbul, using oils, although we don't know exactly when. It's suggestive to think of the politics of imagery in relation to this work, specifically, Russia's long-standing ambitions regarding Constantinople and the Turkish Straits. Polenov was part of a generation that sought to define a uniquely Russian artistic identity, looking to both Western and Eastern influences. Here, we see a painter trained in the European tradition turning his eye to the Ottoman East. The architecture is rendered with a kind of picturesque charm, and the local figures become part of a landscape bathed in a warm, inviting light. But it’s crucial to consider the historical context. Russia had a complex relationship with the Ottoman Empire, marked by both conflict and cultural exchange. Works like this played a role in shaping Russian perceptions of its neighbor, imbuing it with a sense of exoticism. Through archival research and careful attention to period sources, we can explore the complex historical and cultural dynamics at play in this seemingly simple landscape.