The Grand Bazaar Istanbul
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)
Sharjah Art Museum / Sharjah Museums Department
About Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah
Hegira 13th century / AD 19th century
Anonymous Ottoman artist
SM2006-222
Watercolour
140 mm x 230 mm
Istanbul
This painting provides a fascinating insight into the activities within the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul during the 19th century CE. First built in the 15th century, its importance had declined somewhat in the 19th century, as non-Muslim merchants increasingly established independent shops in the European quarters of Istanbul rather than staying in the ‘outdated’ bazaar. Nevertheless, in 1890, there were still well over 4000 shops in the Bazaar. This image provides much detail about the appearance of traditional merchants and shops. Men, including some soldiers in European-style uniforms, and women in colourful local dress can be seen milling about the bazaar, their costume revealing important details about their ethnicity, profession and social status.
Ulrike al-Khamis "The Grand Bazaar Istanbul" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;ua;55;en
Prepared by: Ulrike Al-Khamis
MWNF Working Number: UA 056
Related Content
On display in
Sharing History Exhibition(s)
Cities And Urban Spaces | The Image Of The City | Identity Economy And Trade | Important Trading Hubs | ShopsDownload
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