Janissary at the English Palace Constantinople
1820
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
About the artist
Artist
William Page
American, Albany, New York 1811–1885 Staten Island, New York
See the richer artist page1820
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Janissary at the English Palace Constantinople is a 1820 watercolor by William Page, a American Folk Art work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a man in bright, colorful clothes standing outdoors. He’s wearing a tall white hat, a blue coat with gold trim, and red slippers. One hand holds a walking stick, and the other rests on his hip. His belt has a small pouch, and a curved sword hangs at his side. The background is simple and blurry, keeping all focus on him. His outfit looks like military or official wear, with lots of gold and red details. If you like this style, check out Romanticism next.
A watercolour drawing by William Page from 1820 depicts a Janissary stationed as a guard at the British Embassy in Constantinople, then still a large residence in Pera. The work belongs to a series of costume studies, some based on direct observation and others adapted from earlier sources, reflecting the artist’s varied approaches to documenting attire. Comparisons have been drawn between Page’s work and that of Louis Dupré, whose 1825 publication includes closely related images, suggesting possible influence or shared stylistic traits. The drawing was later acquired from Maggs in June 1967.
Read the full account in the museum source.
American, Albany, New York 1811–1885 Staten Island, New York
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