Thread by @VeraCausa9

This watercolour shows the comparative heights of ancient columns still extant in Istanbul around 1809, from the left:

The Column of the Goths, The Burnt Column, 4 sides of the Egyptian Obelisk, the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, and the Column of Marcian.

This watercolour shows the view of At Meydani or Hippodrome of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, the Egyptian Obelisk and the mosque of Sultan Ahmed in the distance, Istanbul ca.1809.

This watercolour depicts the elevations of two mosque portals, and part of the Hekimoglu Ali Pasha Fountain at Kabatas, Istanbul ca. 1809.

This watercolour shows the ceremony of Janissaries running to collect their purses/pay set out on the ground at the Bâbü's-saade or Gate of Felicity, Topkapi Sarayi, Istanbul ca.1809.

This Janissaries pay ceremony was used to demonstrate the number, power & speed of the Ottoman elite troops to foreign visitors. Whoever was the first to bring back the purse of money to his officer received a small reward. [1]

The Gate of Felicity at the Topkapi Palace symbolized the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire & its ruler, also the Ottoman throne would be placed before the Gate of Felicity for enthronement, and it served as the entrance to the private residence of the sultan [2]

This watercolour ca.1809 depicts a Mevlevi also known as Whirling Dervishes due to their practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). The Mevlevi order was founded by followers of the 13th c. poet & Sufi mystic Rumi.

This watercolour c. 1809 depicts a
bostanji from Turkish bostanci, literally "gardener", he was one of the imperial guards of the Ottoman Empire, mainly responsible for protecting the sultan's palace.

This watercolour c.1809 depicts a
dilsiz (deaf-mutes) they're part of Enderûn "Interior Service" or private service of the Ottoman Sultans. Because they're deaf-mutes, the dilsiz were entrusted w/ confidential tasks [including executions] communicated in their own sign language.

This watercolour c.1809 depicts customers in a kahvehane or Ottoman coffeehouse adorned by a central fountain. The 1st Istanbul coffeehouse opened in 1555 during Suleiman the Magnificent reign. Coffeehouses were teeming with Sultan's spies as a way of measuring public opinion.

According to legend, Suleiman’s wife, Hürrem Sultan, took her kahve with a glass of water and a square of Turkish Delight to balance its bitterness, which is how it is served in Turkey today [1]

This watercolor depicts the First Dragoman or Interpreter to the Sultan. The 1st Dragoman had to have knowledge of Arabic, Persian, Turkish & European languages as well as knowledge of the politics of those foreign societies. In other words, he was both a linguist & a diplomat.

The 1st imperial Dragoman was Lutfi Pasha who was sent to Venice by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1479 to deliver a treaty. The first Christian Grand Dragoman was a Phanariote Greek physician, Panagiotis Nikousios who held the office from c. 1661 to his death in 1673. [1]

All these wonderful 1809 watercolors were likely painted by an anonymous Greek artist who regrettably was not credited by the British embassy's first secretary in Istanbul, Stratford Canning who commissioned them as way of studying Ottoman institutions and society mores. [2]