Alberto Pasini

Private collection, Germany (acquired in London before 1914 by a member of the family in the diplomatic service)

The present work depicts the Yesil Mosque in Bursa, an early masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, built in 1421. The sunset red, seen from the window at the back, indicates that it is the time for the evening prayer. The wall on the left is richly decorated with tiles crowned by a majestic band of calligraphy running from right to left, precisely depicted by Pasini. This Arabic inscription is from the Holy Qur’an (39:73) and can be translated as: “Peace be upon you. You have done well, so enter, herein you shall abide”.