Félix Ziem (1821-1911) Constantinople

Oil on canvas signed lower left
Dimensions: H. 58.1 x W. 93.4 cm (with frame: H. 100 x W. 130 cm)

A precursor of Impressionism, Félix Ziem was undoubtedly the most important painter of Venice in the 19th century. Admired by Van Gogh, this visionary artist drew his inspiration from the great Italian masters of the “settecento”, who specialized in lake subjects. Felix Ziem imposed a new vision of Venice, based on a systematic study of the changing light of the hours and seasons, and the reflections and transparencies of the water. His figures and gondolas, treated with a lively touch, show his admiration for Francesco Guardi.

Felix Ziem was a gifted artist: he produced over 5,000 works, including seascapes, landscapes, still lifes and flowers, historical subjects... He was a master not only of painting but also of watercolor, even if his works on paper are nowhere near the price of his oil paintings. His most sought-after and highly-rated subjects were Venice and Constantinople.

Félix Ziem was born in Beaune in 1821, to a Croatian father who had settled in the Côte-d'Or in 1814, and a Burgundian mother. He studied at the Dijon School of Architecture and Fine Arts. By the age of 20, he had won countless prizes and awards. In 1841, he moved to Nice, where he received commissions from the city. From 1842 onwards, he traveled in Italy, visiting Rome before discovering Venice, his second home. He spent several months a year there from 1845 to 1892. He worked from his boat, which served as his studio as well as his home.
Greece, Turkey and the Mediterranean basin, Russia, Belgium, Holland, England, Egypt, Austria, Turkey, Algeria... Felix Ziem never stopped traveling, instantly capturing the light of each place, the atmosphere of each country.

A friend of all the most famous landscape painters of his time, Ziem lived in Barbizon, where he also painted “sur le motif”. He then moved to his 4 homes, Venice, Martigues, Nice and Paris, where he received awards and honors, becoming Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1878. His success and fortune enabled him to help young artists and found numerous charities. The town of Martigues has dedicated a museum to Felix Ziem; the Petit Palais houses Ziem's studio, which he bequeathed to the city of Paris on his death in 1911.

Museums :
Paris, Musée d'Orsay, Petit Palais...
Marseille, Musée des Beaux-Arts; Musée Grobet Labadié
Rennes, Musée des Beaux-Arts
Roubaix, Museum of Art and Industry
Martigues, Musée Ziem
Beaune, Musée des Beaux-Arts
Amsterdam
... etc ...

This painting is one of the artist's most important works. Constantinoples' subjects are rarer than those in Venice, and extremely sought-after on the international market. The impressionist treatment of water and light is remarkable. The condition of this work is perfect. The painting is presented in a superb period frame in wood and gilded stucco.