Who painted A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish?

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish was painted by Anonymous Greek artist in 1809.

Where can I see A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish?

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish?

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish

Anonymous Greek artist , 1809

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Anonymous Greek artist. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This watercolour shows a Whirling Dervish from about 1809. It was made by an unknown Greek artist, trained in Ottoman and European styles.

The painting is part of a big series ordered by a British diplomat in Istanbul. He wanted records of Ottoman life and hired a local artist to do it.

Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum next.

Overview

A Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervish is a watercolour painting created around 1809 by an unknown Greek artist. It is part of a large series of works documenting Ottoman life and customs.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a Whirling Dervish, a member of a Sufi Muslim order known for their ritual dance. The work provides a visual record of Ottoman cultural practices during the early 19th century.

Technique & Style

The artist's style blends Ottoman and European techniques, combining dense watercolour and bodycolour with European conventions of representation and perspective.

History & Provenance

The painting was commissioned by Stratford Canning, a British diplomat in Istanbul, and was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895 from Canning's daughter Charlotte.