The painting Ankara Landscape, registered in the inventory of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands and dated to the 18th century, was thought to be a painting of Aleppo for many years. However, Prof. Dr. Semavi Eyice, in his work ‘An Old Picture of Ankara’ published in 1972, revealed that the painting belonged to Ankara. With Eyice’s work,   the work has been recognized in the academic field as a very important document that can contribute to Ankara urban studies.

One of the most important factors in determining that the painting belongs to Ankara is the large number of Ankara goats on the lower right edge of the painting, which appear to be undergoing a certain process. The painting is divided into two compositions, upper and lower, with the upper part depicting Ankara with the buildings and spaces of the period, while the lower part shows various scenes from Ankara’s bazaar and city life. This painting, which reveals the importance of the mohair trade and sof weaving in Ankara’s history with the image of women in sof abayas, woolens being woven on looms, merchants and a caravan carrying goods from Ankara, vividly reflects Ankara with its topographical features as well as its industrial and commercial life based on mohair from the perspective of a European, although the painter is unknown.

Reference: https://ankara.ktb.gov.tr/TR-227481/ankara-manzarasi-tablosu.html

The painting “Ankara Landscape” on display at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Ankara has been animated and the video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMNxy98FSGU.