Artwork
Constantinople and the Bosphorus from above Scutari
Constantinople and the Bosphorus from above Scutari is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Giuseppe Schranz. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour depicts a panoramic view of Constantinople and the Bosphorus, captured from a vantage point above Scutari.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour depicts a panoramic view of Constantinople and the Bosphorus, captured from a vantage point above Scutari. The scene encompasses the Sea of Marmara to Galata, showcasing the strait's breadth.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a group of figures in the foreground, dressed in colourful attire, set against a backdrop of a bustling harbour city with domed buildings and minarets. The water is filled with various vessels, from sailing boats to larger ships.
Technique & Style
The artist employed soft watercolours to create a hazy, light blue effect, blending the sky and sea. The figures in the foreground are rendered in simple yet distinctive attire, achieved through the use of vibrant colours.
History & Provenance
This watercolour is part of a series of seven similar works on paper, watermarked J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1834. Other versions of this view have appeared at auction, including a sale at Phillips and a related set of drawings at Sotheby's in 1981.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giuseppe Schranz painted watercolours of 19th-century Istanbul. These soft, detailed views show city gates, mosques, and the waterway between Europe and Asia. He captured places like the Middle Gate of Topkapi Palace…
