The Orientalist Sale
The Orientalist Sale
Lot Closed
April 7, 01:15 PM GMT
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
THÉODORE GUDIN
French
1802 - 1880
THE GOLDEN HORN
signed and dated T Gudin 1851 lower right
oil on canvas
76 by 120cm., 30 by 47¼in.
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Often described as the world's greatest natural harbour, the Golden Horn is a flooded river valley which flows into the Bosphorus. According to legend, the Byzantines threw so many valuables into it during the Ottoman conquest that the waters glistened with gold. Gudin's panorama, looking upstream, takes in the majestic skyline of the Old City, including the New (Yeni) Mosque, and the Süleymaniye Mosque in the distance. The view predates the building of the Galata bridge, which today spans the Golden Horn from the foot of the New Mosque to Galata on the other shore (see lot 13).
Since its foundation under the name of Byzantion around 660 BC, Istanbul developed to become one of the most significant commercial and cultural centres in history. After its re-establishment as Constantinople in 330 AD, it served as an imperial capital for almost sixteen centuries. Lying on the historic Silk Road, and with its proximity to both Europe and the Middle East and commanding position on the only sea route between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Istanbul was instrumental in the advancement of global commerce as early as Roman and Byzantine times.