At the "Fashion & Painting" exhibition @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

From a ballgown, to daytime dresses, to an evening dress, to a peignoir ... Arkas Sanat Alsancak.

"In Her Boudoir" (D. Enjolras) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"Mrs. Dotohy" (J.A. Grimshaw) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Day dresses; the one one the right has a bustle @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"The Long-Awaited Letter" (A. Toulmouche) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"Afternoon Tea on Lake Starnberg" (E. Cucuel) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Tuxedo & a man's summer outfit @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

17th century outfit of a French gentleman @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Napoleonic era gown ... and portrait of Napoleon (C.A. Steuben) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir.

Roman-style gala dress; Reform-style dress; house dress @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Late 19th century house dress @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Mid-19th century Turkish-style costume @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Ballgown with bustle ... note the lace-up in lieu of buttons @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir.

Evening gown @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Mid 19th century evening dress @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Crinoline dress (L) and Napoleonic era ballgown @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Stylized dress w/Calais lace shawl (D. Enjolras) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"Summer Evening by the Lake" (D. Enjolras) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

Late 19th & early 20th century outfits @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"Morning at the Artist's House in Sofievej" (P.G. Fischer) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"Contemplation" (E. von Blaas) ... love the detail on the shawl @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir.

Afternoon dress (possibly for making calls) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

"The Photographer's Visit" (É.F.W. Richter) @ Arkas Sanat Alsancak — İzmir, Türkiye.

İzmir: Arkas … Fashion & Painting

June 2 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

Arkas is the name of a Levantine family … deeply rooted in İzmir. They migrated here from France some 300-400 years ago, engaging in trade for over three centuries. In addition to being a prominent name in commercial endeavors, they have established several art museums in İzmir to share their expansive collection of art in every form.

Arkas Sanat Alsancak — sanat being the Turkish word for art — is the closest of these museums to us. It is housed in a neoclassical mansion on Kordon (the Alsancak waterfront). Built in 1906, the building served as the French diplomatic mission until 2009, when it was transferred to Arkas Holding for restoration and renovation.

Between visits with mom, Mui and I went to the museum today to check out the current exhibit. The older building is not wheelchair friendly, so we were unable to take mom with us. I sat with her later and showed her the photographs I took … a second-hand exhibition, if you will.

There is a nominal admission for the museum ₺250 ($5.45 at today’s exchange rate) … half that for 65+. But today being Tuesday, it was “people’s day” … meaning that the fee was waived. Score!

The “Fashion and Painting” exhibition combines selected works from the Arkas collection with pieces from the costume collection of La Dame d'Atours. It brings together 19th-20th century Postimpressionist and Modernist paintings with the haute couture fashions of the same period … mostly women’s attire, though there were some men’s costumes as well.

The exhibition serves to underscore “… the social life, clothing culture and aesthetic understanding of the period through the relationship between painting and costume.”

Over the years, we have visited most, if not all, of the temporary exhibitions installed at Arkas Sanat Alsancak. None disappointed. Today was no exception.Read more