Mehmet Necati studied law and did not have any professional arts education. He painted mainly still lifes and was the first Turkish Cypriot painter to participate in art exhibitions.
The painting is a rare view of the old camels’ inn on the side of St. Sophia cathedral. Originally a station for camel caravans, by the 1950's its function was changed to that of a khan.
It is interesting to note the combination of European and local attires worn by the figures attesting to the inroads modernity was making into traditional Cypriot society.
The scene presents a variety of human activities ranging from manual labour to leisurely strolls. Animals, humans, children and cars compliment what is effectively a very diverse picture. The artist emphasises the Turkish element which is manifested in the sight of Turkish flags on top of the minarets.
Furthermore, the khan is in the style of the Islamic traditional urban architecture. It must be winter as the tree has shed all its leaves extending its branches bare. The buzz of the square challenges stereotypical representations of the laid back oriental lifestyle which started changing by the mid fifties. The artist achieves a realistic portrayal by the use of bold colours, especially that of the sky which conveys the light of Cyprus.
PNT-00365 > Mehmet Necati, The Camel Station Behind Ayia Sophia, oil on canvas, 60 x 70 cm, 1940.
The 'Sneak Peek' series is supported by OPAP (Cyprus).
