Wildly popular in the 19th century, Orientalist art fell out of favour, dismissed as a Western fantasy of the “exotic East”. But it is now finding renewed interest among collectors, and much of this interest comes from the very places supposedly denigrated long ago by artists from Europe and North America. One artist of impeccable pedigree is in especially vigorous demand. Often considered the leading Orientalist of the lands once called the “Orient”, Osman Hamdi Bey introduced a unique perspective. Among his many talents was his incorporation of Ottoman material culture into his work. As a founding museum director, the sophisticated Ottoman polymath was well acquainted with the achievements of Turkish weavers, ceramicists and calligraphers. He may not always have depicted reality, but at least he knew what it was.

The title of this piece is borrowed from the IAMM’s 2023-24 exhibition, Orientlist Paintings: Mirror or Mirage