Hurlingham Fine Arts

Description

This drawing of the Hagia Sophia by John Richard Coke Smyth (1802-1882) was used as the basis for a lithograph by John Frederick Lewis in a book entitled 'Illustrations of Constantinople', Plate no.12. The title page inscribed 'Made during the Residence in that City in the year 1835-36. Arranged and Drawn on Stone from the original Sketches of Coke Smyth by J.F.Lewis' published in London 1838 by Thomas McLean, D & P Colnaghi and John Frederick Lewis.

Another pencil drawing by Coke Smyth, entitled 'Reception Room in the house of the Turkish Pasha - New Orsova', also used for a lithograph by John Frederick Lewis in the same publication, can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The present drawing shows the north-eastern entrance of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. On the right is Sogukcesme Street and part of the wall of the Topkapi Museum.

St.Sophia was built by Emperor Justinian I in 537AD as the first Christian Cathedral to be built in the Roman empire. The Byzantine Empire finally ended in 1453 when Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Mehmed II. The Cathedral was in a state of disrepair but the Ottoman sultans were so impressed by the architecture, particularly the dome, they decided to turn it into a mosque. Four 200 foot minarets,fountains and gates were eventually added outside.

Old mount inscribed with title in ink, 'Gate of St.Sophia Constantinople',and signed Coke Smyth in pencil. The drawing is also inscribed in pencil 'No.8'.

Size 27 x 37.4cms