Creator:
Chateauneuf, Mami Mami de
Ημερομηνία:
1850-11
Medium:
Inscriptions:
Inscribed on lower center recto: Ile de Cypre. Larnaca 8, 9 Nov 1850 [Island of Cyprus. Larnaca] 8 1850
Description:
Mami Mami de Chateauneuf visited Cyprus on his way from Asia Minor to the Holy Land while accompanying Count G. Rothchild. The two views of Larnaca which appear in his sketchbook were drawn in pencil on 9th November and 8th November 1850 respectively. The first view is of a two-storey house on the sea shore at the harbour of Larnaca. Its size and architecture reveal the affluence of the owner, most probably a member of the foreign mercantile or consular corps. Typically, buildings of that period incorporated Ottoman architectural features such as the eaves and the covered verandah, as well as ancient fragments such as the column. Four male figures and one crouching female point to the fact that the house had a number of employees. Many caiques attest to a busy harbour. The barrels appearing in the picture were used for the storage of water or merchandise to be exported. Houses of this size always had a well in their courtyard as evidenced in the picture. The second drawing provides a radically different view of Larnaca. Humble dwellings, made of mud bricks, with flat roofs, are situated inland. Tall palm trees attest to Moslem ownership of the houses. Cypriot Moslems observed the custom of bringing the seed of palm trees from Mecca during the hajj and planting it in their yards. No figures or other signs of life appear in the picture. It is obvious that the artist, quite intentionally, presents two contrasting aspects of Larnaca: the affluent quarter by the harbour bustling with activity and the desolate neighbourhood of the local poor folk.
Dimensions:
20 x 28 cm
Signature(s):
Signed verso: Mami Mami de Chateauneuf
Alternative Title:
Island of Cyprus, Larnaca
Subject:
Identifier:
PNT-00096a
Classification:
Collection:
Object Type:
Rights Holder:
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
Rights Statement:
The Costas and Rita Severis Foundation holds or manages the copyright(s) of this item and its digital reproduction. If you need information about using this item, please send an email to [email protected]
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