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During the reign of Sultan Selim III, French-born architect Antoine Ignace Melling—appointed as the imperial architect—created engravings of Istanbul and the Bosphorus shores, which he compiled into a book in France in the early 1800s. Demirören Publishing has now released a facsimile edition of this rare work, titled A Picturesque Voyage to Constantinople and the Shores of the Bosphorus, republished in its original dimensions. The edition is available in Turkish, English, and French.
Researcher-writer Erhan Altunay and archaeologist Dr. Murat Sav both note that the engravings vividly capture the daily life, palaces, surroundings, architectural fabric, and spirit of the era in remarkable detail.
Rare Access to the Harem
During his service, Melling was granted the rare privilege of entering and depicting the harem after being received by Hatice Sultan, the sister of the sultan. Through his engravings, he preserved for future generations the natural appearance of 19th-century Istanbul. Many of his works were drawn from life, reflecting the exact moments and scenes he witnessed—whether a Turkish wedding, a bustling street, or court ceremonies inside the Topkapı Palace.
Dr. Murat Sav: “He Painted from Exactly Where We Stand”
Speaking from the famous Pierre Loti Hill overlooking Eyüp Sultan, Dr. Sav explained that Melling sketched one of his most famous engravings from almost the same spot. In the republished book—faithfully reproduced in its original format—there are 52 engravings from different vantage points across the city, such as Bulgurlu Hill and the Maiden’s Tower.
“The most striking element in Melling’s engravings is the presence of people. Whatever was happening at that moment, Melling captured it,” said Dr. Sav. “He even included a portrait of Sultan Selim III at the beginning of the book. Melling was also renowned for garden and landscape design, influenced by a family background in the arts—his father was a sculptor, his brother an architect, and his uncle a painter.”
A Visual Archive of Istanbul’s Past
Dr. Sav emphasized that the engravings include intimate details of palace life and diplomatic ceremonies.
“Every engraving contains a story. Melling reflects the picturesque aesthetic popular at the time, portraying Istanbul’s mythology, history, buildings, streets, and even its animals in their authentic state. This book is of great importance to the city’s cultural history and heritage,” he said.
Altunay: “A Lively Panorama of the Era”
Researcher-writer Erhan Altunay described Melling’s work as one of the most significant sources for understanding the history of Istanbul:
“In writing a city’s history, period engravings and photographs are among our most valuable resources. Melling’s renowned Voyage Pittoresque de Constantinople et des Rives du Bosphore, with its 52 engravings, not only shows us the Istanbul of that time but also the life within it. It provides a vivid panorama of the era and serves almost like a large-scale documentary. Having Demirören Publishing release this book is a great fortune.”
