Who painted Arabas, or carriages?

Arabas, or carriages was painted by Anonymous Greek artist in 1809.

Where can I see Arabas, or carriages?

Arabas, or carriages is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Arabas, or carriages?

Arabas, or carriages is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Arabas, or carriages

Anonymous Greek artist , 1809

Arabas, or carriages 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. This watercolour depicts two Ottoman carriages, one closed and one open, used to transport women from the Sultan's palace around 1809.

About this work

The artist was hired by a British diplomat who wanted detailed records of what he saw in Istanbul.

This watercolour shows two Ottoman carriages from around 1809. One is closed, the other open, but both were meant to carry women outside the palace. The artist was hired by a British diplomat who wanted detailed records of what he saw in Istanbul.

The closed carriage gave full privacy. Women in the open one relied only on their veils. The diplomat, Stratford Canning, had just arrived in Turkey when he started this project.

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Overview

This watercolour depicts two Ottoman carriages, one closed and one open, used to transport women from the Sultan's palace around 1809.

Subject & Meaning

The carriages served to convey women outside the palace, with the closed carriage providing full privacy and the open one relying on veils to maintain modesty.

Technique & Style

The artist's style blends Ottoman techniques, such as dense watercolour and bodycolour, with European representational conventions and perspective.

History & Provenance

The watercolour was part of a series commissioned by Stratford Canning, a British diplomat, and was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Context

Canning hired a local artist, believed to be associated with Konstantin Kapidagli's studio, to record Ottoman institutions and customs during his diplomatic mission to Istanbul in 1808.