Dervish cermony

Fausto Zonaro's masterpiece Dervish ceremony was painted in Turkey, shortly before the artist returned back to Italy in 1910. Istanbul was for Zonaro the place where his artistic style evolved and matured, and the canvases that he painted during these years are probably the most interesting works of his artistic career. Abdülhamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, was an avid supporter of the arts during his reign and a devoted admirer of Zonaro, whom he chose as his court painter from 1896 to 1909. In this position, Zonaro grew well accustomed to the customs and clothing of the Turks, as well as the true religion essence of the dervishes, represented in this extraordinary painting.

Represented in this painting are Elisa Pante, wife of Zonaro, their daughter, probably Mafalda, and the artist himself praying amongst the followers. Watched by European ladies, a seyh of the Rufai order is about to heal several older men, prostrate on the floor, by walking on them. Nearby young girls also wait to be healed. On the left chanting Rufai dervishes include the artist, himself a dervish, fifth from the left. On the right Zonaro has shown, contrary to probability in a Rufai tekke, a Mevlevi dervish playing the neyh or flute. This painting, rich in colour and religious atmosphere, is the most beautiful and important representation of the religious ardour of the dervish people, and is often to be found today in books about them or hung on the walls of their tekkes.

Rodolpho Falchi has kindly confirmed the authenticity of the present work.