1854
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dancing Dervishes of Constantinople is a 1854 watercolor by Samuel Read, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This watercolor painting shows a group of men in white robes and tall hats, dancing in a circle. They have their arms outstretched, and their robes are flowing around them. The background is a simple, muted color, which helps to focus attention on the dancers. The men's robes and hats are rendered in soft, feathery brushstrokes, giving the painting a sense of movement and energy. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the dancers are lost in their own world. If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to check out the Impressionism movement.
The painting depicts the whirling ritual of the Mevlevi Order, known as the Dancing Dervishes, as observed by Samuel Read in Constantinople in 1853. It was created based on a sketch made for an engraving published in the Illustrated London News on October 15, 1853. The work was later acquired from N. Vilag in May 1966.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Samuel Read was an English illustrator who provided many illustrations for the Illustrated London News.
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