Lot Essay
Pasini was one of the most popular orientalist painters in Europe during the 19th century. A regular exhibitor of the Paris Salon he travelled extensively from 1855 to 1883; visiting Persia, Arabia, Syria and Constantinople where many of his most famous paintings were inspired. Pasini was fascinated with the light and local colors in the countries he visited and this is evident in the works he painted during these years. Our painting was most likely inspired from a two year trip Pasini made to Constantinople from 1867 to 1869.