Alberto Pasini

In the present work Pasini brings together his careful observations of everyday life in Turkey: street sellers negotiate deals and entice customers, tethered horses patiently await the return of their owners, men standing with weapons converse intently, bright green watermelons populate the foreground (one already split open to reveal a juicy pink interior), a lady clothed in pear green stands to the edge of the market and behind the steps smoke rises through the beige awnings, under which a crowd of people congregate. The blue sky, intense light and dark shadows accentuates the heat of summer.

By the Fountain affirms Pasini’s reputation as both a fine draughtsman and meticulous colourist, for example the figures and horses are precisely observed. He first travelled to Constantinople on his landmark journey to the East accompanying the French Minister and diplomat Nicolas Prosper Bourré in 1855, which began his career as an Orientalist painter. He also travelled to Tehran, through Egypt, and Armenia. He returned to Turkey again in 1867, in that year receiving a commission from Sultan Abdül Mecit for two paintings now in the Dolmabahçe Palace, and stayed until 1869. During his sojourns there, Pasini was clearly inspired by the city's unique and richly ornate architecture and customs. He made numerous en plein air sketches which were used as inspiration (along with memory and notes) after he returned to Paris and Italy. He was a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon.