Artists Inspired by Istanbul
Those who nourish their souls with the inspiration of Istanbul
Ivan Konstantinovich Ayvazovski was an artist who visited Istanbul four times during the Westernization period of Ottoman art and successfully reflected this process in his works. Ayvazovskis deep connection with Istanbul was reinforced by his visits during the reigns of four different sultans and the paintings he made during these visits.
Ayvazovski made his first visit in 1845 during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid II and his last visit in 1890 during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. The architectural details in the paintings of Ayvazovski, whose works are documents like many artists of his period, reveal the architectural structure and situation of that period. His works titled ""Istanbul from Galata"" and ""A Coffeehouse on the Bosphorus"" reflect the Istanbul of the period and the way of life in detail.
Known as one of the worlds most prolific marine painters, Aivazovsky had an epic relationship with the sea, and his fascination with Istanbul encouraged him to return to the city many times and to paint more than 200 paintings of the city. Aivazovsky said, ""I am now beginning to paint a large picture of Istanbul... Perhaps there is no place more majestic than this city. When I visit Istanbul, Naples and Venice are forgotten."" These statements show Ayvazovskis deep admiration for Istanbul and the importance of this unique city in his art.
In Turkey, some thirty of Ayvazovskis works are in the collections of Dolmabahçe Palace, the Naval Museum, the Military Museum, the Greek Patriarchate of Fener and the Armenian Patriarchate of Kumkapı in Istanbul. By studying Aivazovskys works, we can see 19th century Istanbul from a different perspective.
Marc Aryan Marc Aryan was a singer born in France in 1935 and raised in Belgium. In the 1960s, he gained great popularity in Europe and Turkey. Aryans love for Istanbul was clearly felt in his music. Aryan came to Istanbul for the first time in 1966. This visit was a turning point for him. The historical and cultural richness of Istanbul deeply impressed Aryan. The fascinating atmosphere of the city was reflected in his songs. Aryan expressed his love for Istanbul in his song ""Istanbul"". This song was recorded in two different versions in Turkish and French. The song described the beauty and romance of Istanbul. Aryan also expressed his love for Istanbul in his concerts. He often mentioned Istanbul in his concerts and dedicated his songs to Istanbul.
Aryans love for Istanbul was also reciprocated by his Turkish fans. Aryan passed away in 1985, but his love for Istanbul still lives on in Turkish music. His song ""Istanbul"" is still one of the most popular songs about Istanbul today.
Ben Hopkins A documentary film directed by British director Ben Hopkins, Hasret: Sehnsucht tells the story of a documentary crew exploring the many faces and layers of Istanbul. The film begins with a team assigned to shoot a documentary about the touristic charms of Istanbul for a German television channel. As soon as the crew arrives in Istanbul, they start filming in various parts of the city. The crew consists of director Ben Hopkins, cameraman İsa Çelik, soundman Bilge Güler and assistant director Serhat Saymadi. As the filming progresses, the team realizes that Istanbul is not just a touristic city, but also a complex and multi-layered one.
The citys historical and cultural richness, its modern lifestyle, its ethnic and religious diversity, its political and social problems, are all among the themes explored in the film. Ben Hopkins, the director of the film, has visited Istanbul before and has said that he has a personal relationship with the city. In his film, Hopkins aimed to paint a portrait of Istanbul that is both superficial and profound. The film combines documentary and fictional elements, bringing together the reality and imagination of Istanbul. The director uses real images and fictionalized scenes. This allows the viewer to experience Istanbul as both a real and an imaginary city. Hasret: Sehnsucht (2015) can be seen as a movie about Istanbul itself rather than a portrait of Istanbul. While exploring the different faces and layers of Istanbul, the film also invites the viewer to discover their own Istanbul.