XVIIIth. Style in Paintings of century French Bosphorus Painters

First the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and then of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul has always been a significant city attracting people because of its political, economic and strategic position and natural beauties since its establishment. The city has drawn especially the Westerners because of its natural beauties and monumental structures and thus they visited the city. The Westerners have always dreamt of this city and this led mainly the "Bosporus" and other locations to have a special place in the western art since day one. After its conquest by the Turks in 1453, many Western painters, travellers, merchants visited the city and wrote travel books about the Ottomans whose culture was different from theirs and Istanbul. Those who visited the city drew pictures reflecting the city from different angels in their travel books and collections. As a result of the diplomatic relations and the commercial privileges between the Ottomans and the Western countries, the Western ambassadors brought their painters with them and helped the beauties of Istanbul be visualized. While very few painters came to Istanbul enjoying the commercial privileges granted to certain countries until the 18 th century, the Ottoman Empire started to turn towards the West from this century on and as a result of the increasing diplomatic relations with many countries, mainly France permanent embassies were founded in Istanbul. During this period, a "Turqueri Fashion" developed among the European culture and art mediums thanks to the ambassadors assigned to the European capitals. With their impacts, the ambassadors and the painters they brought with them created a cosmopolite cultural environment throughout this century. In this century, a group of painters working around the embassy, also known as the "Painters of the Bosporus", a name given by A. Boppe, are regarded as the first representatives of exoticism. Seven Painters of the Bosporus whose paintings were evaluated drew similar paintings in terms of subjects but defined them according to their own perspectives and styles. These painters are like representatives narrating the architecture, nature, culture, fashion, human type and special clothing of Istanbul of the Ottoman which became to be westernized in all their parts.