Lowobovich Mosque, Larnaca
Creator:
Williams, William
Date:
1878
Medium:
Inscriptions:
Inscribed on verso: Lowobovich mosque, Larnaca
Description:
William Williams was born in Winchester in 1856 and became an architect and surveyor. At the age of twenty two, he ended up in Cyprus where he joined the civil service. Many colonial buildings on the island are designed by William Williams. The mosque which appears in the watercolour is best known as Zuhuri Tekke. It is situated in the centre of Larnaca town. Evliya Çelebi, in the mid 17th century, describes it as a lodge of the Bektashi Order. It comprises a mosque, mausoleum and a school. Tradition has it that while digging the foundations a corpse wrapped in a winding sheet was found. As it was in perfect condition, inquiries were made in Istanbul on whether this was the body of a revered person. No information was found, so, the tomb was given the name Zuhuri Baba. ‘Zuhur’ comes from the Arabic word ‘to appear’, meaning the baba who simply appeared from the ground. The watercolour emanates calm and serenity, the structure standing alone in an empty expanse. A figure is placed in the foreground for scale purposes. The beautiful blue of the sky compliments the yellow of the sandstone, both in pastel colours.
Dimensions:
18 x 24 cm
Signature(s):
Signed in lower right recto: W.W.
Identifier:
PNT-00557
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 research@severis.org
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