Pera Museum's new exhibition, "By the Water's Edge: The Life and Art of Halil Pasha," re-examines Halil Pasha, one of the important painters of the period extending from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, through his works, archival documents, and photographs. The exhibition opens on March 5th.
Curated by Dr. Özlem İnay Erten, the exhibition features Halil Pasha's portraits, still lifes, and landscapes alongside photographs, archival documents, and sketchbooks. Thus, not only the artist's works but also his environment, the cultural atmosphere of the period, and his production conditions become visible.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FIGURES OF THE GENERATION OF MILITARY PAINTERS: Halil Pasha is considered one of the most prolific figures of the "Generation of Military Painters" that emerged during the modernization period of the Ottoman Empire. The exhibition particularly draws attention to the artist's painting style, which combines academic discipline with Impressionist sensibility. In his broad body of work, ranging from portraits to landscapes, the use of light and color plays a significant role. Especially in paintings depicting the Istanbul coastline, the light on the surface of the water, the atmosphere, and traces of daily life are distinctly felt.
**A JOURNEY OF ART FROM BEYLERBEYI TO PARIS** The exhibition also traces Halil Pasha's artistic journey. His childhood years spent in Beylerbeyi, and his relationship with the Bosphorus landscapes, are considered one of the elements that shaped his early visual perception. His years in Paris represent a significant turning point in this journey. His education at the École des Beaux-Arts and his work in Jean-Léon Gérôme's studio solidified Halil Pasha's mastery, particularly in portraiture. The bronze medal he won at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris for his portrait of "Madam X" is also included in the exhibition along with supporting documentation.
ISTANBUL COASTS AND SUMMER LIFE
After the artist's return to Istanbul, he turned to landscape paintings. The coasts of Beylerbeyi, Göksu, Küçüksu, Fenerbahçe, and Bostancı are among the locations frequently seen in Halil Pasha's paintings. The idea of "coast," which gives the exhibition its name, is also evident in these paintings. The changing light of the Bosphorus, the reflections on the water's surface, and the coastal architecture transform into a scene in the artist's paintings that carries both aesthetic and traces of daily life.
THE EGYPTIAN YEARS AND NILE LANDSCAPES
Another important period in Halil Pasha's artistic life is his time in Egypt. Invited by Abbas Halim Pasha, the artist went to Hilvan and spent long winter months there. The paintings he made on the banks of the Nile show a reinterpretation of the sensitivity to light and water in Istanbul landscapes, this time in a different geography. Photographs and documents from this period are also included in the exhibition.
OPEN WORKSHOP AREA FOR VISITORS One of the sections accompanying the exhibition is the "Open Workshop" established on the 3rd floor of the Pera Museum. Inspired by Halil Pasha's studio, this area allows visitors to create their own works using various drawing materials. The "On the Edge of the Water: The Life and Art of Halil Pasha" exhibition can be visited on the 5th, 4th, and 3rd floors of the Pera Museum until August 23rd. The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, and Sundays from 12:00 to 18:00.
Source: https://www.gazetepencere.com/kultur-sanat/askerlikten-ressamliga-halil-pasanin-suyun-kiyisinda-sanat-yolculugu-691898h