Artwork

The Gardens of the Seraglio with European visitors inspecting the Column of the Goths, Constantinople

The Gardens of the Seraglio with European visitors inspecting the Column of the Goths, Constantinople is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Michel-François Préaulx. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour, created during the Romantic era by Michel-François Préaulx, depicts a serene scene in the gardens of the Seraglio (Topkapi Palace) in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). The artwork captures a moment of cultural exchange and archaeological interest, featuring European visitors and Turkish onlookers amidst ancient ruins.

Subject & Meaning

The central subject is the Column of the Goths, a 15-metre granite monolith with a Corinthian capital, commemorating a Roman victory over the Goths, likely dating back to the reign of Constantine the Great (post-332). The scene conveys the European fascination with documenting and understanding ancient monuments during this period.

Technique & Style

Préaulx employs watercolour to balance detail and atmosphere. The foreground focuses on the artist at work (possibly self-portrayed) and his patrons measuring the column, while the background subtly renders the palace walls and gateways, blending antiquity with contemporary observation.

History & Provenance

Préaulx arrived in Istanbul in 1796 as part of a French delegation commissioned by Sultan Selim III to enhance Ottoman military capabilities. Despite the subsequent shift in French-Ottoman relations due to Napoleon, Préaulx managed to continue his work in the region.

Context

The setting is Gülhane Park, near Topkapi Palace and Seraglio Point, where the Column of the Goths stands. This location, amidst trees, a tea garden, and a zoo, reflects the coexistence of natural beauty, historical relics, and everyday life in 18th-century Constantinople.