Publication Date
Circa 1317/1900
Publication Place
-
Hallowell Museum
Subject
Photocopy paper.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع: 22سم؛ العرض: 26.2سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
LXVI:0.10
Record ID
object;ISL;se;Mus01_A;42;ar
Library Location
Hallowell Museum
Date
Circa 1317/1900
Notes
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who ruled in the period 973-26 / 1566-20, chose one of the hills of Constantinople to build his mosque. This prominent location overlooking the neighboring buildings gave the city a general appearance that can be seen from the Asian side of the Golden Horn, which is a favorite shot among photographers that emphasizes its architectural grandeur and importance. But in this case, the photographer chose another shot of the mosque from the south-eastern side, showing the back side of it. Although he focused on the mosque, the photo captured more. The mosque occupies the entire area from the left to the right of the photo. It is possible to see the mosque and the organization of its domes, and the four minarets indicate the presence of a heavenly expanse in front of it. But the mosque does not dominate the photo, but rather appears as part of an urban structure that merges with the surrounding natural scene. The viewer also feels that he is part of the scene because of the skill of the photographer. He allows... The viewer, as if merging with the eyes of the mosque, sees the Bosphorus with its ships and beaches on the other side, which is still in its early stages of construction. Thus, the magnificence of the site and the building is conveyed directly to the viewer, and another part of the image allows for a greater understanding of it. The photographer’s shot allows a close view of the graves of the Sultan and his wife Hürrem behind the mosque. Thus, the shot does not stop at being merely a depiction of the Sultan’s building, but goes beyond it to depict the Sulaymaniyah Mosque.
Sample Text
Friederike Voigt “Photo” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;se;Mus01_A;42;ar
