In conjunction with the state visit to Turkey of President Giorgio Napolitano of the Republic of Italy and with the contribution of Sabancı Holding, An Exhibition on "Venice and Istanbul during the Ottoman Period;” will encounter art lovers between 19 November 2009 and 20 March 2010 at the S.Ü. Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM). The first activity in the celebration of Istanbul’s status as 2010 Culture Capital, the exhibition is intended to acquaint visitors with the mutual influences and historical synergy between the two cities that extended from the 15th to the 20th century.
Along with selected works of art from the museums of Venice, the exhibition also includes works chosen from the collections of the Topkapı Palace Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Pera Museum and Yapı Kredi Vedat Nedim Tör Museum. Works from museums in Turkey representing the shared past and deep historical, social and commercial relationships as they were experienced during the period on the Istanbul end will accompany the works that come from Venice. Thus the exhibition will display the panorama of close diplomatic, military, commercial and artistic relations between the two cities, along with their deeply intertwined reciprocal influence.
The exhibition has been curated by SSM Director Dr. Nazan Ölçer, Musei Civici Veneziani Director Prof. Giandomenico Romanelli, Ca’Foscari University Professor Giampiero Bellingeri and the Museo Correr’s Dr. Camillo Tonini. Just as with earlier exhibitions, An Exhibition on "Venice and Istanbul during the Ottoman Period; Love, by any other name”will be accompanied by neighbor day activities, gallery conversations, conferences and educational programs for children.
