The Church of St. Mary of the Spring in Balikli, Istanbul

Description

Featured in the 1836 collaborative work of Thomas Allom and Robert Walsh, this steel engraving depicts the magnificent interior of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary of the Spring (Zoodochos Pege) in Balıklı, one of Istanbul's most deep-rooted religious centers. The composition presents architectural splendor with its high vaulted ceilings, massive crystal chandeliers, and elegant iconostasis; while aesthetically documenting the city's multicultural fabric and the spiritual life of the Greek Orthodox community through the traditionally dressed congregation and clergy resting on carpets, lighting candles, and praying on the floor.