Long Stories

Istanbul in the Panoramas of Melling and Dunn

By İstanbul Research Institute

İstanbul Research Institute opens a visual window to the city of emperors and sultans with the exhibition entitled, Long Stories: İstanbul in the Panoramas of Melling and Dunn. A micro-level study of history focusing on the historical topography of the city.

Theatrum Europeum (1635) by M. Meriemİstanbul Research Institute

Panorama:
The Civilizational Décor of the City

Panoramas constitute the visual narratives of a city. In each and every tale, we pursue the adventures of the cities that have created their own myths. Emperors and sultans cast their shadows in the images stretching before our eyes; the symbols of power piercing the sky are surrounded by the cultural texture of daily life, as well as the city’s architectural composition and nature. The raison d’être of a panorama is to bear witness to the urban image that appears as a protagonist on the stage of history, set against the civilizational décor that the eye perceives at first sight. 

Panorama of Istanbul (1855) by Montagu B. Dunnİstanbul Research Institute

Testimony to an İstanbul in
the Process of Modernization:

The Panoramas of Melling and
Dunn 

The İstanbul panoramas of Antoine-Ignace Melling and Montagu B. Dunn are spectacular documents that shed light to the city’s history of modernization. Melling demonstrates his dedication to the ideals of the Enlightenment through his realistic approach to the historic topography of the late-18th century İstanbul. Dunn, on the other hand, reflects the new visage of a post-Tanzimat İstanbul he arrives in during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Both panoramas remain as scientific testimonies to the changing urban image of an İstanbul in the process of modernization.

Top Kapisi Waterfront Palace (1855) by Montagu B. Dunnİstanbul Research Institute

The Dunn
Panorama:

Tanzimat Modernism in İstanbul 

Montagu B. Dunn arrives in İstanbul in 1855 as a
young naval lieutenant.  As a consequence
of the Crimean War (1853-1856), the city he encounters for the first time is transformed
into a military base. In a sense, İstanbul is being reborn in the project
designs of European engineers and architects. It is thus possible to observe in
Dunn’s panorama, the striking images of modernization in a wide spectrum that
extends from architectural structures such as the Fire Tower of the Offices of
the War Ministry, the Russian Embassy, Nusretiye Mosque, Mecidiye Barracks and
Dolmabahçe Palace, which assume their places in the city’s skyline, to the ever-evolving
cosmopolitan texture of daily life.

Tower of Justice, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Copper Reserve, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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The Sublime Porte, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Fire Tower of the Offices of the War Ministry, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Galata Walls, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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The Russian Embassy, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Nusretiye Mosque, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Barracks of the Cannon Carriage Drivers, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Stepped Street, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Cihangir Mosque, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Süheyl Bey Masjid, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Ayaspaşa Cemetery, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Mecidiye Barracks, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Dolmabahçe Palace, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Yıldız Pavillion, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Çırağan Palace, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Beylerbeyi Palace, Montagu B. Dunn, 1855, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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İstanbul Panorama by Antoine-Ignace Mellingİstanbul Research Institute

Antoine-Ignace Melling

Antoine-Ignace Melling (1763-1831) was a leading figure among the creative individuals that the Age of Enlightenment presented to İstanbul. He was born into a family of artists. In 1782, he undertook an expedition to the East. He arrived in İstanbul in 1784 as part of the Russian Ambassador Bulgakov’s retinue. His close circle of acquaintances included renowned figures of the period such as Choiseul-Gouffier and Mouradgea D’Ohson. He was introduced to Sultan Selim III’s (1789-1807) sister Hatice Sultan and subsequently designed the interior as well as the garden of her Waterfront Palace in Defterdarburnu. His accomplishments were noticed by Selim III, who in turn, appointed Melling as the imperial architect. Beşiktaş Palace, Topkapı Waterfront Palace project, Çırağan Palace and Şerifler Yalı all feature his signature style.  

Sinan Pasha Pavillion, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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İshakiye Kiosk, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Masjid of the Bostancilar Tabhâne, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Tower Or Justice, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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The Bower, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Şevkiye Pavillion, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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The New Garden, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Hasan Pasha Pavillion And Garden, Antoine - Ignace Melling, 1870, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Marble Throne, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Topkapisi Waterfront Palace, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Cannon Gate, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Pavillion Beside The Cannon Gate, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Damad İbrahim Pasha Hadith School, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Fire Brigade Pavillion, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Residence of the Agha of Janissaries, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Kurşunlu Mahzen Pavillion, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Galata Walls, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th Century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Barracks Of The Cannon Carriage Drivers, Antoine - Ignace Melling, End of 18th Century, From the collection of: İstanbul Research Institute
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Credits: Story

Curator & Text: Ekrem Işın
Consultant: M. Baha Tanman
Digital Adaptation: Irmak Wöber

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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