Baroque Istanbul (Nuruosmaniye)

Baroque Istanbul (Nuruosmaniye)

View of Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Abdullah Frères, late 19th Century

Although admired at the time of its execution, the controversial 18th century Ottoman Baroque architectural style was later interpreted as an uncomfortable stylistic derivation associated with a declining Ottoman Empire attempting to emulate the Western European aesthetic, and only recently has been re-examined as triumphal Ottoman architecture of a thriving era of cultural cross-pollination. After the royal court moved back from Edirne in 1703, Western-inspired modernization and reforms were undertaken during the early 18th century to restore and reinforce imperial authority. Nuruosmaniye Mosque was begun by Mahmud I in 1749 and completed by Osman III in 1755 on the second hilltop of Istanbul, at the center of a busy commercial district, next to the Grand Bazaar. It is distinguished from the other mosques of the city by the strong Baroque influence present in its architectural and decorative style, which is beautifully captured in the background of this late 19th century photograph, taken by the Abdullah Frères from the street just outside the east gate, with busy Istanbulites throwing curious glances at the photographer while going about their daily business.

Abdullah Frères

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Photograph