The Missing Culture

Bashibouzhuk is a vague term used for bandits, robbers and similar free spirits :-) during the Ottoman era. They usually raided villages, hotels (technically they are called hans) and caravansarays (caravan stop-overs). This unsigned orientalist pencil drawing is roughly 40 years old. Experts could not decide whether it is a copy or a reproduction. Estimated value: $ 175

Henri Guillaime Schlesinger's "Fox and Grapes" is a beautiful color lithograph. Dated 1850, it has the common characteristic of most lithographic pictures of the era: attention to detail. Considering access to Harem was actually not allowed, I can say these are truely the first scrapbooking examples. You draw the carpet from a friend's house, the curtain from somewhere else, ladies could be your relatives, and you end up with an imaginary harem. Dimensions: 43x55 cm. Estimated value: $ 300

Those who have been to Bodrum in the 21st century will have a hard time believing their eyes, but this is what Bodrum looked like some 200 years ago. A fortress, a frigate or galeon or two, empty spaces, few faces. Last time I was there, a policeman was standing at an intersection where vehicles were not allowed, trying to orchestrate pedestrians so that they would not walk on each other around 02:00 AM. A beautiful engraving by Walter Bourchier Devereux. Dimensions: 26.5 x 42 cm. Estimated value: $ 700

What could it be? For those who read the previous post Female Portraits in Western Art , the answer would be obvious. No ueber or super power has yet managed to stop an artist from seeing the beauty in human body. Dated approximately 1880, Druck u. Verlag von A. Felgner in Berlin presents: Die Perle von Constantinopel, the Pearl of Istanbul, with all the elegance and grace she has to offer. The corner decorations and stars were applied to the engraving later. Estimated value: $ 150

This got me wondering: is there a universal concept of beauty inherent to humans, or is it manufactured and marketed? I remember a test I took once. We were asked to choose which woman we liked most among 25 (I think), and I happened to pick the one from the time I was in my late teens. Does Rita Hayworth make today's generation feel like her own generation? Sadi Gunel had his generation's ladies and published in 90 pages with 62 pictures. From the small print we understand that Miss Greece was popular then as he had especially mentioned the booklet contained her pictures. Estimated value: $ 25

A souvenir from my online voyages: a lovely engraving of a Greek musician from Van Mour. Sadly, I did not take note of its date. Extraordinary attention was given to every detail, from hat to shoes, socks to vest, etc. I have a few more of these and will post them eventually. Dimensions: 37x26 cm. Estimated value: $ 400