Lot 202: A GENERAL VIEW OF THE CITY OF CONSTANTINOPLE, ISTANBUL TURKEY, 19TH CENTURY

This hand-colored etching and engraving on paper features a panoramic topographical view of Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, viewed from across the water. The composition highlights the city’s iconic skyline of domes and minarets, set against a backdrop of distant hills. The water is populated with various sailing vessels, including two prominent ships flying British ensigns and several smaller rowboats. In the foreground, figures in both traditional Ottoman and European attire are situated on the grassy banks. A distinct plate mark is visible around the perimeter of the image and the text area. The lower margin contains the plate number 36 at the far left, followed by the bilingual title in English and French: A General View of the CITY of CONSTANTINOPLE and Vue Generale de la VILLE de CONSTANTINOPLE. Centered below the title is the publication line: Printed for BOWLES and CARVER, Map and Printsellers, No. 69 in St. Paul’s Church Yard LONDON. The print is executed using a combination of etched and engraved intaglio techniques with later hand-coloring applied to the landscape, architecture, and figures.

44 x29.5cm