This exhibition showcases photographs by Martin Paternotte, capturing the interiors of historic Ottoman summer houses, known as yalis, and city palaces in and around Istanbul along the Bosporus. It highlights the cultural exchange between Dutch and Turkish heritage, featuring elements like traditional Turkish tents and carpets.
The exhibition 'Buitens aan de Bosporus' is centered around a series of photographs by Dutch photographer Martin Paternotte, which capture the intimate interiors of historic city palaces and grand houses in Istanbul and along the Bosporus. These photographs offer an atmospheric glimpse into the lived-in spaces of waterside summer houses, known as yalis, providing an impression that transcends mere depiction and invites viewers to immerse themselves in the evocative ambiance of living history.
The exhibition delves into the history of 'yalis,' elegant wooden summer residences built along the Bosporus from the 17th century onwards, with a particular focus on those constructed during the 19th century and up to the end of the Ottoman Sultanate. A recreated 'Turkish tent' in the museum's tea room, inspired by 18th-century country houses, visually represents the cultural interplay between the Netherlands and Turkey, made possible through loans of Persian and Oriental carpets from 'Davoud, Perzische en Oosterse Tapijten'. The significant role of carpets, rugs, and embroidered textiles in the traditional decoration of Ottoman interiors is emphasized, with examples displayed in the museum. This exhibition marks the celebration of 400 years of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey.