Constantinople scene under hammer

A PAINTING depicting the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople was sold for £290.500 at an auction held by Sotheby’s.

The extremely rare painting has historical significance. The oil on canvas painting is thought to have been produced in Italy in late 15th/early 16th century, constituting possibly the earliest depiction of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.

The inclusion of smoke hovering above the city, the Turkish flags on the ships approaching the land, and the Kerko-porta, the towers of the Golden Gate indicate that the painting delineates the actual day of the conquest, 29 May 1453.

Haghia Sophia Church, the Hipodrome the Aqueduct of the Valens, parts of the Galata district and the Vinga harbour can also be observed in the painting.

World’s leading arts broker Sothebey’s presented the painting as part of its auction of Arts of the Islamic World on the 9th of October. The piece was sold at £290.500, exceeding the expected range of £180.000 – £220.000.