PORTAKAL ART AND CULTURE HOUSE

Title of Publication: Milliyet Irregular National Newspaper

Date of Publication: 15.04.2008

The Works of Müteferrika go to the mysterious number 42

Last weekend Portakal Art and Culture House put up for sale pieces from the Şevket Rado Collection of Calligraphy and Books. As the flags started to go up and down everyone became curious about buyer number 42 at the other end of the phone which Fatoş Türkmen, the General Coordinator of Portakal, would not remove from her ear… SERFİRAZ ERGUN S/3

ŞEVKET RADO HAS PASSION, EUROPEANS CALL HOBBY, FOR CALLIGRAPHY

WHO IS THIS NUMBER 42?

At “The Şevket Rado Collection of Calligraphy and Books” and “Paintings from Private Collections” auction Portakal Art and Culture House organized, the collection of 17 books published at the Müteferrika printing house were purchased for 380 thousand liras by the mysterious number 42 at the end of the phone.

“I have a passion. This passion, which the Europeans call hobby, is for calligraphy with me. I can never have my fill of watching the magnificent compositions made since the fifteenth century by masters of calligraphy among whom are great artists. As such, I think calligraphy is an art of painting.” These words belong to Şevket Rado.

Those who are at the right age will at least remember the name of Şevket Rado as the publisher of Hayat Mecmuası (Life Magazine) and Ses Mecmuası (Voice Magazine). Before that Şevket Rado wrote in the Akşam newspaper. He was one of the prominent collectors of calligraphy in Turkey. As he knew old Turkish well too, during the 1960s, when old Turkish had fallen out of favour, he started collecting books, plates, hilye-i şerif (works depicting the appearance and qualities of Prophet Mohammad), imperial orders, and charters written in old Turkish. Today, the backbone of many museums and collections is formed by Şevket Rado’s collection, which he collected until his death in 1988.

Şevket Rado’s Collection

On Sunday afternoon, at the Conrad Hotel, Portakal Auction House sold many more works of art from the library and walls of Şevket Rado. The auction was composed of two parts. Both Şevket Rado’s collection of calligraphy and books, and paintings from private collections…

Şevket Rado’s family had taken their seats in the hall. Apart from people like Nimet Şahingiray, whom I come across at every auction I go to, dealing for Demet Sabancı’s museum to be opened, İpek-İzzet Günay, and Emine Hanım, who deals for Hasan Yeşilkaya, Rasih Nuri İleri, an ex TKP (Turkish Communist Party) member whose father was Atatürk’s private delegate, and Numan Ceylan, a textile businessman, people such as economist Asaf Savaş Akat, painter Mehmet Güleryüz, and Ali Poyrazoğlu, the stage actor, were sitting on the chairs, with flags in their hands. The fact that the auction was on calligraphy had drawn people like Uğur Derman, Mehmet Çebi and Ömer Kılık to the Conrad Hotel.

Rafi Portakal and his daughter Maya took their positions at the dais at 14:00.

First oration in Latin alphabet

A tradition that comes down from his grandfather, Rafi Portakal starts his auctions with a salt shaker. However, this time, as the first part of the auction comprised of the Şevket Rado Collection of Calligraphy and Books, the first work that was sold was Gazi Mustafa Kemal’s Nutuk, first edition in Latin alphabet in 1927, distributed to the MPs of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The bidding started at 900 Liras and the book was bought for 6500 Liras.

Books belonging to various periods of the Ottoman Empire, military maps, travel books and numerous books on palace life were sold in no time.

As the flags started to go up and down, and as Fatoş Türkmen, the general coordinator of Portakal, raised flag number 42 in her hand for the person at the end of the phone and raised the prices by five hundreds and a thousands, the interest of the people in the hall focused on buyer number 42. On number 42 at the end of the phone which Fatoş Türkmen never let go… As soon as the gavel went down Rafi Portakal’s voice continued to ring: “to number 42”.

Whispers of “number 42 is Ömer Koç” started to spread in the hall in waves. The pages of the catalogues were turned, the bidding continued, prices were raised, and the buyer was 42 again, and again…

Everyone held their breath when Constantinople and Boğaziçi book by Melling, the palace artist of Sultan Selim III, was initially bid at an estimated value of 36 thousand and was purchased at a price of 90 thousand Liras by number 42 again. For it was now time for the sale of the lot of 17 books published at the İbrahim Müteferrika printing house, the first printing house of the Ottomans.

17 books of Müteferrika go to 42 as well

When it was time for bidding for the lot of 17 books printed at the İbrahim Müteferrika printing house, Rafi Portakal called from the dais, “This magnificent collection has only 1000 copies, it is a full set, and it is put out for sale for the first time”. Lot number 135 of 17 books with an estimated price of 145 thousand liras lacked nothing… Van Kulu Lugatı (Van Kulu Dictionary), Ottoman naval history, book of invasion of the Afghans and Persian wars, methods of ruling the public, events starting from Adam up to 1648, the invention and the use of the compass, and various history books printed between 1729 and 1741. The price rocketed from 145 thousand to 280 thousand. Even Rafi Portakal spluttered due to the speed.

When the price reached 280 thousand it halted. It soon picked up, and the gavel went down among the sounds of “going once, going twice…” For 380 thousand liras, the 17 books printed at the Müteferrika Printing House were sold to number 42 at the end of the phone.

Of course, there was a burst of applause in the hall. Taking a short cut and without longer excitement, in order to keep the collection together, Rafi Portakal quickly gave the three books printed after the decease of İbrahim Müteferrika in 1745 to flag number 42 again.

At the end, Rafi Portakal said, “I am very happy that the books remained intact. Şevket Rado’s collection has not been scattered. I hope the buyer will share these with the society.” Flag number 42 was done. It came to a standstill, we heard of it no more.

Purple tie replaced with yellow

When Şevket Rado’s collection of calligraphy came to an end there were those who went outside or lost interest and left. Rafi Portakal said he would not take a recess; he stood up, took of his purple tie and put on a yellow one. It was like the lead singers changing their costumes between two songs.

The “Paintings from Private Collections” part had a slower pace than the calligraphy part. The first striking sale was Galib’s painting of Sultan Selim II. It was bought by Hasan Yeşilkaya for 77 thousand YTL. Many paintings from the collection of Süreyya and Nedime Taşkın, family friends of Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, were on sale. Bedri Rahmi’s painting sized 120 x 208 cm titled “Kahbe Felek Sana Nittim Neyledim Yıktın Mümkünümü Çarelerim” was competed for for a long time by the team from the Dilek Sabancı Museum and the phone desk, with a result that it went to number 31 raised from the Desk. And that at 360 thousand YTL.

The vengeance of the Demet Sabancı Museum, the opening of which we are waiting for, was severe. A landscape by Hoca Ali Rıza initially bid at 150 thousand YTL was competed for in a pitched battle first by the Museum and Numan Ceylan and then by the Museum and number 43 at the end of the phone. Finally, it was the Museum’s for 405 thousand YTL.

Resim altı:

A 1936 model black Dodge went to Rafi Portakal at the end of a long competition with Ömer Kılık. Portakal states he is going to park it in front of Portakal Art and Culture House on Mim Kemal Öke Street and let his prominent customers drive it.

Publication: Vatan Daily National Newspaper

Date of Publishing: 14.04.2008

“Müteferrika Books” sold for 380 thousand YTL

At the Portakal Art and Culture House 2008 Spring Auction, Hüseyin Zekai Paşa’s ‘İncirli Natürmort’ (‘Still Life with Figs’) was sold for 410 thousand YTL, and Hoca Ali Rıza’s landscape was sold for 405 thousand YTL to art lovers who participated in the auction by telephone.

At the Portakal Art and Culture House 2008 Spring Auction Hüseyin Zekai Paşa’s ‘İncirli Natürmort’ (‘Still Life with Figs’) was sold for 410 thousand YTL, and Hoca Ali Rıza’s landscape was sold for 405 thousand YTL. The auction which comprised of two parts, “The Şevket Rado Collection of Calligraphy and Books” and “Paintings from Private Collection”, was held at the Conrad Hotel.

Collection of 17 books

A collection of 17 books which consisted of all books printed at the first Turkish printing house İbrahim Müteferrika established in İstanbul, and 377 books, calligraphies and paintings which belonged to people among whom were Şeyh Hamdullah, Ahmet Karahisari, Sultan Mahmud II, “Bakkal” Arif, Nazmi Ziya, and Sami Yetik were put up for sale at the auction.

Hüseyin Zekai Paşa’s oil on canvas ‘İncirli Natürmort’ (Still Life with Figs) signed in old Turkish and French and put up for sale with an initial price of 400 thousand YTL was sold for 410 thousand YTL, and Hoca Ali Rıza’s landscape that was put up for sale with an initial price of 150 thousand YTL was sold for 405 thousand YTL. Both works were purchased by art lovers who participated in the auction by telephone.

The collection of 17 books, printed at the printing house established by İbrahim Müteferrika, which was initially put up for sale at 145 thousand YTL was sold for 380 thousand YTL. Furthermore, at the auction, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu’s oil on canvas painting titled “Kahpe felek sana nittim neyledim, yıktın mümkünümü, çarelerimi” was sold for 360 thousand YTL, and Kazasker Mustafa İzzed’s Hilye-i Şerif was sold for 130 thousand YTL.

Finally, the Dodge car that was imported in 1937 as an official car for the General Director of İETT was bought by Raffi Portakal, who was conducting the auction, for 19 thousand YTL.

ZEHRA ÇENGİL

Title of Publication: Milliyet

Date of Publication: 12.04.2008

First books published on sale

The auction to be held tomorrow by Portakal Art and Culture House has two themes. The prominent theme is the calligraphies and books owned by Sevket Rado, one of our most prominent collectors. Among these books are the first 17 books printed by İbrahim Müteferrika, considered to be the founder of Turkish printing. ŞEYDA IŞLER

Title of Publication: Sabah Daily National Newspaper

Date of Publication: 11.04.2008

‘Masterpiece’ calligraphies debut

Rado’s collection of books and calligraphy, referred to as a “Masterpiece”, will also be on sale in the Spring auction of Portakal Art and Culture House.

Hande ŞARMAN NEWS CENTER

Portakal Art and Culture House, owned by Rafi Portakal, is to hold a spring auction at the Conrad Hotel on Sunday, April 13. The auction consists of two major parts. In the first part titled “The Şevket Rado Collection of Calligraphy and Books,” which comprises of three parts, ‘masterpiece’ calligraphies, to use Rafi Portakal’s words, will be exhibited. The collection of books and calligraphies brought together by the famous journalist Rado, who published the Hayat Magazine famous for its record breaking circulation, and died in 1988, since his high school years, constitute an important part of the auction.

MÜTEFERRİKA COLLECTION FOR THE FIRST TIME

In the second part of the auction, titled “Paintings from Private Collections,” on the other hand, Hüseyin Zekai Paşa’s works, which Sabri Berkel, famous for his fastidiousness, describes as “Could very well be exhibited in a Western museum such as Musee d’Orsay” will be put up for sale.

Rafi Portakal, the owner of Portakal Art and Culture House, describes Hüseyin Zekai Paşa and his paintings as “at a distinguished point in Turkish painting”. In this part of the auction, the collection of İbrahim Müteferrika, the publisher, author, and translator who takes place in the annals of history with his printing, will be offered for sale for the first time in the world.

Title of Publication: Milliyet Cafe Irregular National News Supplement Milliyet

Date of publication: 27.11.207

Auction champion at the end of phone

There was a competition between those participating in the auction of Portakal Art and Culture House by telephone and those in the hall. The most expensive work was purchased by the owner of flag number 308 who participated by telephone.

The long expected Spring Auction of Portakal Art and Culture House was held on Sunday at the Conrad Hotel. With the exception of a few names, those who sold their collections hid behind codes such as Z.A.C., T Family, P.S.K.E., while bidders hid behind flag numbers such as 319, 308 and to the end of the phone. That is to say, neither the buyers nor the sellers of purchases of millions of liras were willing to appear.

The most expensive work of the night, Süleyman Seyyid’s “Still Life with Oranges and Hyacinths”, went with a round of applause to the owner of flag number 308 on the phone for 535 thousand YTL. Halil Paşa’s painting titled “Salacak” ended up with flag number 319 for 230 thousand YTL. Raffi Portakal concealed the owner of flag number 319 like a secret. For most of the works were bought by the unknown person behind flag number 319.

Here is the most expensive piece

Süleyman Seyyid’s “Still Life with Oranges and Hyacinths” found a buyer for 535 thousand YTL. Buyers were hiding behind flag numbers such as 319, 308, and behind the phone.

Most expensive work goes to flag number 308

The most expensive piece at the Spring Auction of Portakal Art and Culture House, Süleyman Seyyid’s “Still Life with Oranges and Hyacinths”, went to the owner of flag number 308 on the phone.

The long expected Spring Auction of Portakal Art and Culture House was held on Sunday at the Conrad Hotel. Most of the 296 pieces put up for sale were sold. When Raffi Portakal, the third generation owner of the Auction House, sank into the audience seats, at the end of the auction, he was as tired as a pianist who had given his first recital. Nevertheless, he said, “the auction was very successful, and most of the works were sold for a good price.”

Painting Credit

Let us rewind the tape: on Saturday I went to Portakal Art and Culture House on Mim Kemal Street for the previewing. Raffi Portakal was sitting with Selçuk Altum from the Yapı Kredi Publishing Management, and Tayfun Beyazıt, MA Columbia University, transferred to the Yapı Kredi Bank of Koç Group from Fortis.

Let me put a parenthesis: when Habertürk TV was first founded in 2001, Tayfun Beyazıt often came to the ruinous studio in Ataköy made out of a discothèque for broadcasts. He was, then, the CEO of Dışbank of the Doğan Group. And how proud Ufuk Güldemir and I were that, although his own Group owned numerous media groups, Tayfun Beyazıt would broadcast with us. We thought him clever and quick.

To go back to Portakal Art and Culture House, these three were talking about opening bank credits to those who bought works of art for up to 100 thousand dollars, and the two were warming Tayfun Beyazıt up into the matter. Beyazıt kept saying, “I do not care for the social responsibility side of the matter, I care for the feasibility of the financial side.” So do not be surprised if soon there is a credit ease for those who want to buy paintings…

Saltshaker starts the bidding

On Sunday, the hall of the Conrad Hotel was packed. Yet there were not many familiar faces. I thought it was as if the owners of these 296 pieces of work of art had filled the hall. İzzet and İpek Günay, Gönül Turgut, Arzu Aslan, wife of the late Fahrettin Aslan, Global’s owner Mehmet Kutman, Nail Keçili’s ex-wife Nilgün Keçili, Engin Ansay, the former consul general of Los Angeles, Selçuk Altum, Dr. Serdar Erkan, Dr. Kurt Sarp Yener, Rasih Nuri İleri, and Zuhal Portakal were the first people that caught my eye.

When the auction started Raffi Portakal and his daughter Maya stepped onto the dais together. I know that Raffi Portakal has been acclimatizing his daughter for the dais for the past four or five years. Firstly, messages from the ministers of public works, energy and cultural affairs were read and then the auction was given start.

The first piece that was put up for sale was a saltshaker, a tradition that derives from Raffi Portakal’s grandfather. A saltshaker is believed to bring plentifulness to an auction; that is why. The silver saltshaker that was bid 100 liras estimated value was sold for 1050 liras, approximately ten times the initial bid.

Thanks go to daughter Maya

Throughout the auction Raffi Portakal had humorous dialogues with the flag raisers. He asked teapot buyers to invite him to their houses for tea, and sometimes he spoke with a bit of sarcasm, saying, “Well, we haven’t seen you for some time”. There was a storm of applause when the four and a half hour auction of millions of liras that started with a saltshaker came to an end. The addressees of Raffi Portakal’s speech of thanks were his daughter Maya, his ex-wife Zuhal, who did not abandon him, and his close co-workers who worked as hard as him.

New Museum from Demet Sabancı

Let us start another parenthesis for the new museum to be opened. Early in 2008 Demet Sabancı and Cengiz Çetindoğan will be opening a museum in Tepebaşı, between the Pera Museum and the British Consulate-General. They are going to exhibit the 700-800 Turkish paintings they have at the Tarhan Han (Tarhan Inn), the restoration of which architect Sinan Genim has hastily completed. Nonetheless, they continue buying new works of art. In this auction they purchased the works of artists such as Nejad Devrim, Feyhaman Duran, and Mehmed Ali Laga.

Numerous silver spoons with Sultan’s signature, teapots, trays, and glasses were sold at the auction. Of course, mostly paintings were sold as well. The cover picture of the catalogue, Süleyman Seyyid’s “Still Life with Oranges and Hyacinths” from Prof. Dinçer Erimez’s collection was sold with applause for 535 thousand YTL to the owner of flag number 308 on the phone.

Most works go to owner of flag number 319

Right afterwards, Hoca Ali Rıza’s landscape was sold for 400 thousand liras to number 301 on the phone, and Halil Paşa’s painting titled “Salacak” was sold for 230 thousand liras to flag number 319 on the phone again. Rafi Portakal concealed the owner of number 319 like a secret. For most of the works were bought by the unknown person behind flag number 319.

The Casing of the Key of Kaaba made of green and red satin embroidered with gold and silver thread bid at 1 YTL by price offer without estimated price, the price rocketed up to 119 thousand YTL at the end of a cutthroat competition. It went to the person the name and flag number of whom only Raffi Portakal knows. The latter purchases of this covert

person were also registered by the code “that same person who purchased the Casing of the Key of Kaaba”.

Rahşan Ecevit sells paintings of mother in law

Among the works of art on sale were paintings both made by and in the collection of Nazlı Ecevit, Bülent Ecevit’s mother. They were placed in the auction by her daughter in law, Rahşan Ecevit. Many oil paintings of Nazlı Ecevit’s elder sister painted by Şeref Akdik were also on sale. Except Rezan Mehmet İleri, Ruşen Eşref Ünaydın, Harika Lifij, and Tevfik Kuşoğlu, those selling their collections were concealed under codes such as Z.A.C., T Ailesi, P.S.K.E. while buyers were concealed behind the phone line or under flag numbers such as 319, 308, 349 Collector of Egyptian items. That is to say, neither the buyers nor the sellers of purchases of millions of liras were willing to appear.

At the long table on the right side of the father and daughter Portakals’ dais sat Raffi Portakal’s close team of seven. They had become one with their cell phones and desk phones, and kept bidding. There was a merciless battle between those in the hall and the bidders on the phone.

There was a round of applause when Ayetullah Sümer’s large size painting of Atatürk was being brought to the hall. Furthermore, Raffi Portakal announced the painting saying, “the Sümer family is selling, Atatürk of the difficult times”. Among those who watched the auction were İzzet and İpek Günay, and Prof. İlber Ortaylı, director of the Topkapı Palace (left side).

(Milliyet 29.11.2007)

Title of publication: Vatan

Date of publication: 26.11.2007

VATAN

Most expensive “Orange” sold for 535 thousand YTL

The Spring Auction on “Seyyid” held yesterday by Portakal Art and Culture House drew considerable attention. The most expensive piece of the auction, Süleyman Seyyid’s “Still Life with Oranges and Hyacinths” was sold at a record price for 535 thousand YTL. Halil Paşa’s painting titled “Salacak” was sold for 230 thousand YTL, while Hoca Ali Rıza’s “Landscape” was sold for 400 thousand YTL. The names of those who bought the expensive works of art that were bid at high prices were not revealed. Raffi Portakal said the following about the two masterpieces: “Süleyman Seyyid’s still life is a ground breaking example in Turkish painting. Hoca Ali Rıza’s landscape, on the other hand, is a painting the owner of the work personally presented to his family. It is a great chance that both of the works came together at the same auction.” Tülay ACAR

Title of Publication: Vatan Daily National News Newspaper

Date of Publication: 16.05.2007

Portakal’s 2007 Spring Auction

400 year old Ottoman works on sale

Famous auctioneer Raffi Portakal, the owner of Portakal Art and Culture House, leads the way once more. At the spring auction of Portakal, 281 pieces of Ottoman Works of Art, Painting, Calligraphy, Silver and Tombak, among which is the manuscript titled Acaibü’l Mahlûkat, an İslamic literary work of art of approximately 400 years, will be presented to the interest of collectors. The auction will be held on Sunday, May 20, at 15:00 at Conrad Istanbul. Raffi Portakal emphasizes that Acaibü’l Mahlûkat, meaning “wonderful beings”, which he points out as the most challenging work in the auction, is a rare historical artefact. Its price of sale is 550 thousand YTL.

Nazlı Ecevit’s paintings

Portakal pointed out the paintings of Nazlı Ecevit, the mother of the late Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, which have never been exhibited before, among the striking pieces of work. Ecevit’s paintings titled “Nude”, “The Bosphorus”, “İstanbul”, “Peri Bacaları”, “Bursa”, and “Portrait of a Young Girl” will be offered for sale at prices between one to four thousand YTL. Among some of the pieces Portakal sees as challenging are Halil Paşa’s oil painting titled “Kotra, Vapur ve Deniz” (“Cruiser, Steamer, and the Sea”), Rudolf Ernst’s painting “Nargile İçen Adam” (“Hookah Smoker”), and Nazmi Ziya’s oil painting titled “Büyükada” (“Prinkipo”).

Adnan Menderes’s gold watch is also among the pieces to be sold.

Halil Paşa’s oil painting titled “Kotra, Vapur ve Deniz” (“Cruiser, Steamer, and the Sea”) (above) will be offered for sale at 320 thousand YTL, and Rudolf Ernst’s painting “Nargile İçen Adam” (“Hookah Smoker”) (left) will be offered for sale at 300 thousand YTL.

Title of Publication: Cuma Sabah

Date of Publication: 17.02.2006

MILLIONS WILL TALK AT THIS AUCTION

GOLDEN MÜTEKKA

The “mütekka” (supporting stick) used by the suffering dervishes who ate and slept very little to support their heads on the crescent shaped end by sticking the pointed end into the earth in order not to lie down is from 19^th century.

KARADUT

A painting that depicts the images Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu’s famous poem “Karadut”, known to be written for his beloved, created in the artist is put up for sale at 4 thousand YTL.

TOMBAK INKSTAND

This inkstand dated 1701 and decorated with stylized flower motifs is tombak on silver. It carries the signature “Kad-ı amel-i Rumi” in old Turkish. It is offered for sale at 13 thousand YTL.

AL-FATEHAH SURA

The “Celi Sülüs” style plate carrying the calligraphy of Hamid Aytaç and the illumination of Rikkat Kunt contains the Al-Fatehah Sura. The plate is to be offered at 27.5 thousand YTL.

AUCTION TO BE LONG SPOKEN OF

Ottoman works of art and paintings considered to be among the rare pieces in three major collections to be sold at the 2006 Winter Auction of Portakal Art and Culture House.

Next Sunday, when the small paddles start to be raised for large sums at the Conrad Hotel the rarest works of Turkish art will find their new owners. What makes the “2006 Winter Auction” organized by Portakal Art and Culture House one of the most exciting auctions of the recent years is that the unseen pieces of most noteworthy collections that have been spoken of for their magnificence in the world of art shall be sold at the auction. Pieces from the collections of thirteen people and families are to take place in the auction in which more than two hundred pieces will be sold. The identities of the collectors putting their rare works of art on sale are also important. For instance, Mesut Hakgüden, who passed away last year, is one of the prominent people who directed the life of collecting in Turkey. In his collection, which he started bringing together in the 30s when he was a young student at the Faculty of Law, are Ottoman works of art such as rare gold plated inkstands, scissors, calligraphy sets including maktas, and manuscript Korans carrying the signatures of famous calligraphers, in addition to paintings by Hoca Ali Rıza, Feyhaman Duran, and Hüseyin Zekai Paşa.

FROM EXHIBITION TO AUCTION

Another collection included in the auction is the Fikret Mualla Collection belonging to Vedat Öztarhan, a businessman. A significant part of it comprises of those paintings exhibited at the Fikret Mualla exhibition held at İstanbul Modern Museum.

One of the families participating in the auction with their collection of paintings and antique objects is the Ağaoğlu family. Apart from paintings by Aliye Berger and Selim Turan, silver objects are striking in the collection of the family. One of the most interesting pieces of the auction, on the other hand, is İbrahim Çallı’s painting titled “Adada Maşlahlı Kadınlar,” that is put up for sale at 225 billion liras.

Resim altı:

Bedri Rahmi’s “Kadın ve Koç” (Woman and Ram), İbrahim Çallı’s “Adada Maşlahlı Kadınlar” (Women in Maşlah on the Island) and Fikret Mualla’s “Portre” (Portrait) are among the outstanding works of the auction.

DISCOVERY OF A RARE ÇALLI

Raffi Portakal, who comes from the Portakal family that has played an active part in artistic and cultural life for three generations, has been continuing the family business for forty years. Another aspect of this auction for Raffi Portakal is that the collection of Mesut Hakgüden, from whom Portakal claims he has learnt a great deal about antiques, is on sale. Raffi Portakal states for Hakgüden, “He has significantly contributed to the appreciation of works of art by collecting works during his years as a student, when there was not the least interest in Turkish works of art.” Portakal says, “This auction holds the works of people who have pioneered Turkish life of collecting; this does not often happen.” One of the most important pieces of the auction, İbrahim Çallı’s painting titled “Adada Maşlahlı Kadınlar” was a real discovery for Portakal: “The Temel family is a family from Bakırköy. We went on a Saturday. We never expected to come across such a Çallı work. They knew from generation to generation that it was a Çallı. Nevertheless, they could not read the signature because it was in old Turkish. They gave a sigh of relief when I said ‘It is a Çallı’” says Portakal about his discovery. This work of art purchased from İbrahim Çallı by Ottoman Lieutenant Commander Mehmet Tevfik Temel is a rare work of the artist.

Title of Publication: Hürriyet

Date of Publication: 17.02.2006

Antique collections of renowned families on sale

Antique collections of renowned families are to be put on sale at the 2006 Winter Auction organized by Portakal Art and Culture House. Mostly works from the collections of Ahmet Ağaoğlu, Mesut Hakgüden and Vedat Öztarhan are to take place in the auction that is to be held on Sunday, February 19, at the Conrad International Istanbul, at 15:00, and will be conducted by Raffi Portakal.

Objects and paintings from the office of Ahmet Ağaoğlu, one of the famous philosophers and politicians of the constitutional period, the father of Samet Ağaoğlu, minister of the Democratic Party period, and opaline lamps and silver works owned by the Ağaoğlu family are among the works to be sold.

The second important collection to be sold at the auction, on the other hand, belongs to Mesut Hakgüden, one of the first people in our country to collect Ottoman works of art. Calligraphy sets with inlaid gold design, paintings by Hüseyin Zekai Paşa, Hoca Ali Rıza, and Feyhaman Duran, and the smallest Koran ever seen with its excellent quality of writing are the prominent works of art in this collection.

This collection of Vedat Öztarhan, who owns the most Fikret Mualla paintings, is also one of the celebrated collections on sale. A significant part of the collection has taken place in the “Fikret Mualla” exhibition at the İstanbul Modern Museum.

MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTING

“Adada Maşlahlı Kadınlar”, the most magnificent painting by İbrahim Çallı, well-known for his bohemian lifestyle and women in maşlah, that has been put up for sale in the recent years, is to find its new owner at this auction. Furthermore, at 225 thousand YTL the painting is a work that has the highest estimated price in the auction.

Plates by the famous calligraphers of Turkish art of calligraphy, Mustafa Rakım, Yeserizade Mustafa İzzet, Sami Efendi, Nazif Efendi, and Hamit Aytaç, imperial orders and charters with the signatures of Sultan Abdilhamid I, Sultan Selim III, and Sultan Mahmud II, paintings by famous masters of contemporary Turkish art such as Orhan Peker, Abidin Dino, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, and rare silver objects are among the works to be on sale at the auction.

Title of Publication: Vatan

Date of Publication: 17.02.2006

World’s Smallest Holy Koran on Sale

212 works of art among which are the paintings of famous artists and Ottoman antiques to be bid at auction at the 2006 Winter Auction of

Portakal Art and Culture House

The 2006 Winter Auction of Portakal Art and Culture House will be held at the Conrad International Hotel on February 19 at 15:00. The collections of the Ağaoğlu, Çizel, Dikman, Mongeri, Rıza Özden families, and Günay Sağun, Mesut Hakgüden, Serpil Demirer, and Vedat Öztarhan will be put up for sale at the auction. 119 paintings by 55 artists among whom are İbrahim Çallı, Hoca Ali Rıza, Abidin Dino, Mahmud Cuda, Şeref Akdik, Avni Arbaş, Fikret Mualla, Hüseyin Zekai Paşa, and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, the works of 19 masters of calligraphy, and many antiques such as imperial order with the sultan’s signature, silver set with the sultan’s signature, plates, and kaftans will be put up for sale at the auction.

KORAN WITH GOLD FLOWER MOTIF

The world’s smallest Koran is also in this auction. The headline of the Koran, which is one of the works owned by Mesut Hakgüden, one of the first Ottoman artwork collectors, is illuminated with gold. Its leather binding is adorned with gold flower motifs. It is noted that it is very rare to see a signature and date in Korans of this size. Prof. Uğur Derman says the following for the Koran scribed by Kerim Bin İbrahim Şirazi in 1635 in nesih style of calligraphy: “It is the world’s smallest Koran, bearing excellent artistic value.” The size of the tiny Koran is 3,5 x 2,2x 1,5 cm.

‘WOMEN IN MAŞLAH’

The most expensive work of art in the auction is İbrahim Çallı’s "Adada Maşlahlı Kadınlar". The painting qualified as the work that made Çallı the famous artist that he is will be put up for sale at 225 thousand YTL. The painting is one of the most noteworthy works of the artist that has been put up for sale in the recent years with its size and richness of composition… It has been behind doors for years as part of the old Mediha Temel collection, the old Ayşe Şadan Temel collection, and the Z.B. collection from the Temel family. Here are some of the other outstanding pieces from the auction:

CHAT AT THE BAR There are 19 Fikret Mualla paintings from Vedat Öztarhan’s collection. Mualla’s painting titled ‘Chat at the Bar’ will be bid at 20 thousand YTL.

MUSTAFA RAKIM’S PLATE The plate by Mustafa Rakım, one of the most famous calligraphers of the 18^th century, who recompiled the signatures of the Ottoman sultans and brought them to standard measures, will be put up for sale at 25 thousand YTL.

ÜSKÜDAR VALİDE ATİK CAMİİ Hüseyin Zekai Paşa’s painting “Üsküdar Valide Atik Camii” owned by Mesut Hakgüden will be put up at 25 thousand YTL.

The Koran scribed by Şirazi in 1635 is 3,5 x 2,2 x 1,5 cm in size.

Hayri Çizel’s painting titled ‘Poppy’, in which he used his wife as a model, will be bid at 60 thousand YTL.

Title of Publication: Yeni Altüel

Date of Publication: 5-11 May 2004

150 MOST VALUABLE WORKS TOGETHER

“There are those works which both my grandfather and my father had sold, and which I had the chance to sell once more…” These words belong to Raffi Portakal, the first person that falls to one’s mind at the mention of antiques and auctions in Turkey. Taking over the flag of antique dealing from his grandfather Yervant Portakal and his father Aret Portakal, Raffi Portakal, in the 40^th year in his profession, appears in front of art lovers with the Ottoman and Seljuk Works of Art exhibition.

The exhibition comprises of 150 works selected meticulously from very special collections. When we go through the doors of Portakal Art and Culture House, we are face to face with Alexander Dorogoff’s gigantic oil painting Galleons at Sea, dated 1849. The painting, in which one of the galleons bears the script “İskender” (Alexander) in old Turkish, has passed from the Mahmut Muhtar Paşa Collection to the Samet Ağaoğlu Collection, though the date is unknown, and now seeks its new owner through the agency of Raffi Portakal. A few steps along, what strikes the eye this time is a pair of vases 82 cm high, made by the Yıldız Porcelain Factory founded by the orders of Sultan Abdülhamid II. The gilded handles of the vases dated 1908 are mesmerizing; but at the art house there are so many works of art that mesmerize one…

Portakal Art and Culture House hosts an extensive collection from the 18^th century Kütahya ceramics, samples of which are very few in our country, to Hilye-i Şerif and plates by the famous calligraphers of Turkish calligraphy, from the great masterpieces by the great masters of classical Turkish painting to Russian and English candlesticks.

The famous antique dealer, Raffi Portakal, states that he paid attention that the works were in harmony with one another and the prices were in harmony in the exhibition which he organized at the end of a four month’s work, and continues:

“I tried to share with art lovers the Seljuk and Ottoman works of art which were under cover until now and drew the attention of few people, and to help initiate new collectors. All of the works in the exhibition were selected from among thousands of works brought together from exceptionally noteworthy collections.”

The plenitude of works belonging to the Ottoman period immediately brings to mind the question of why so much interest in the Ottoman Empire. Portakal answers the question with a generalization: “We should view it in its entirety, not only as Ottoman works. One of the hearts of Turkey should be art and culture. In order to achieve that we should all support art. Nevertheless, one cannot consider art as separate from the Turkish economy and political fluctuations. Whatever there is in politics and economy, one will see that in art.”

Raffi Portakal was also the art consultant for Sakıp Sabancı’s Collection of Calligraphy. Portakal claims that the Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakıp Sabancı Collection exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, changed many things in Turkey with regard to calligraphy:

“The fact that the exhibition was visited by approximately one million people around the world is a manifestation of the fact that Turkish calligraphy has been enthroned by Westerners. The popularity of calligraphy, which had not drawn much attention in Turkey until then, thus increased. Last year, Sakıp Sabancı’s Atlı Köşk that was turned into a museum was visited by 60 thousand visitors. One of the things I envy when I go to America or France is the queues for the museums.”

Even though the famous antique dealer complains about the lack of interest in museums in Turkey, the P Art Culture Antique Magazine published by Portakal Art and Culture House since 1996 has been published with success for eight years. P Magazine that is published quarterly under the management of Celal Üster has been published in English twice a year for the past five years. The magazine that takes up a certain theme in each issue gives place to the analyses of the prominent art experts of Turkey and the world.

KÜTAHYA SERAMICS belonging to the18^th century are among the most favoured pieces of the exhibition. There are Orthodox crosses and angel figures in the body of the egg shaped hangings. The flat bottomed plate with broad body and low rim, on the other hand, is adorned with turquoise.

Tombak Coffee Pot of 18^th and 19^th centuries; decorated with stylized large flower and curling branch motifs done by engraving technique.

RAFFI PORTAKAL, THE THIRD GENERATION REPRESENTATIVE OF ANTIQUE DEALING, HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER IN HIS LAST EXHIBITION THE MOST VALUABLE 150 WORKS OF OTTOMAN AND SELJUK ART. THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN UNTIL 29 MAY.

Title of Publication: Hürriyet

Date of Publication: 30.04.2004

Immense interest in Ottoman works

The exhibition titled “Paintings, Seljuk and Ottoman Works of Art Exhibition” to be held at Portakal Art and Culture House until May 29 started the day before. There was congestion due to immense interest at the opening to which prominent figures of social life attended. Among the works displayed at the exhibition were a collection of Seljuk ceramic and bronze works dated to the 12^th and 13^th centuries, a collection of 18^th century Kütahya ceramics samples of which are very rare in our country, silver basin and ewer with the sultan’s signature, coffee pots, dessert sets, Russian and English center-piece and candelabra, and the Hilye-i Şerif and plates of the famous calligraphers of Turkish calligraphy art, Kazasker Mustafa İzzet and Yeserizade Mustafa İzzet, as well as paintings by great masters of classical Turkish painting. Raffi Portakal, the owner of Portakal Art and Culture House, gave the following information about the paintings exhibited: “Abdülmecit’s large size self-portrait, the “Still Life with Oranges” by Şeker Ahmet Paşa, landscapes by Süleyman Seyyid, landscape by Hoca Ali Rıza, Mosque Interior by Şevket Dağ, ‘Portrait of Calligrapher Rıfat Yazgan’ and ‘Still Life with Flowers’ by Feyhaman Duran, and Alexander Dorogoff’s large size painting ‘Galleons at Sea’ from the Samet Ağaoğlu collection are among the noteworthy works of art in the exhibition.”

Title of Publication: VATAN

Date of Publication: 29 APRIL 2004 Thursday

WOODWORK ZERENDUD BASMALA HANDIWORK OF EDİRNE

Bearing colophon, dated 1853. Colophon scribed in talik calligraphy very rarely seen. Scribed on dark green background in celi sülüs calligraphy. Border decorated in rococo style with engraving technique in gilt stylized, curved branch motifs. 68 x 82 centimetres. Kazasker Mustafa İzzet (1801-1876)

Ottoman & Seljuk Masterpieces Exhibition by

Portakal Art and Culture House

A spectacular exhibition is opening at Portakal Art and Culture House today. From silver ewers with sultan’s signature to Russian candelabra, from the collections of famous calligraphers to the paintings of classical Turkish painters, the rarest pieces of the “Masterpieces Series” is at this exhibition.

Works of art from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras will be displayed at the exhibition that is to be open between 29 April and 29 May. Among the works art lovers could find in this exhibition are 18^th century Kütahya ceramics, samples of which are almost wiped out, as well as Seljuk ceramic and bronze works dated to the 12^th and 13^th centuries. Furthermore, there are silver basin and ewers with sultan’s signature, coffee pots and dessert sets, and Russian and English center-piece and decorated historical candelabra at the exhibition. The Hilye-i Şerif and plates of the famous calligraphers of Turkish calligraphy, Kazasker Mustafa İzzet and Yeserizade Mustafa İzzet, are also exhibited at this exhibition. There are also the paintings of classical Turkish painters like Hoca Ali Rıza, Şeker Ahmet Paşa, and Şevket Dağ.

The sale of the works to be exhibited at Portakal Art and Culture House for one month will be carried out between 10:00 and 20:00 everyday except Sundays.

Portakal Art and Culture House: Mim Kemal Öke Cad. No:12, Nişantaşı.

Phone number: 0212 225 46 37

GALLEONS AT SEA

Signed, dated 1849. One of the galleons bears the script “İskender” (Alexander) in old Turkish. Oil on canvas. 200 x 290 cm. Alexander Dorogoff (1819-1850)

LANDSCAPE

Signed in old Turkish, dated 1914. Oil on canvas. 38 x 55 cm. A landscape of “silence” in which Hoca Ali Rıza depicts Üsküdar, the place in which he was born and grew up.

Title of Publication: Cumhuriyet

Date of Publication: 12.12.2004

The masters of western painting come together…

Culture Service – The “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition organized by Portakal Art and Culture House, in which the works of artists such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Auguste Rodin take place, has started. In addition to works such as Dali’s “Sorcery – The Seven Arts,” and Picasso’s “Man with a Pipe,” original oil paintings such as Eugéne – Louis Boudin’s “Scene de Plage” and “Villerville, Le Rivage Et La Mer,” Claude Monet’s “Chalands Sur La Seine,” Pierre Auguste Renoir’s “L'enfant a La Chaise,” Paul Signac’s “Port - En Bessin, La Plage,” Henri de Toulouse Lautrec’s “Dans L'escalier De La Rue Des Moulins,” Pierre Bonard’s “Au Grand Temps Ou Le Parc,” Edouard Vuillard’s “La Femme Aux Bas Noirs,” Maurice de Vlaminck’s “Le Port Du Havre,” Raoul Dufy’s “Le Pecheur Sur La Jetee” and “L'avenue Du Bois,” Kees Van Dongen’s “Portrait of Guus,” Maurice Utrillo’s “Beautiful Gabrielle,” and Moise Kisling’s Portrait of Madamme B. Dunn” could also be seen at the exhibition at Portakal Art and Culture House in Nişantaşı.

At the exhibition there is also Auguste Rodin’s statue titled “La Jeunesse Triomphante”. The works that are on sale but the prices of which have not yet been settled can be seen until 12 January between 10:00 and 20:00.

Title of Publication: Pazar Milliyet

Date of Publication: 12.12.2004

Nişantaşı and Süleymaniye not different worlds

How is it that the refinement attained by wealth and the pillage created by the predisposition to become wealthy can coexist at the two ends of a few kilometres of distance in a state of obtrusive contrast?

Raffi Portakal is one of the rare grandsons in our country who continues his grandfather’s business. Professions have not yet become crystallized, probably because social dynamism has not set itself right yet. It is not very often that three generations of lawyers, industrialists, academics, even accountants, run in a family. As the provinces and rural areas are hastily abandoned, a third generation of blacksmiths, forgers from grandfather to grandson, and saddle makers cannot be seen either. Turkey has been getting wealthier for 50 years; the amount of educated people is increasing, nonetheless, the contents are the same. There are some striking and promising improvements; however, impassiveness, and the inability to comprehend history and the environment goes parallel to it.

On Friday there was the opening of an important exhibition at Raffi Portakal’s gallery. Raffi Portakal is the third generation of a family dealing in collecting antiques and works of art, and the progress continues. While the Turkish entrepreneur class, which acquired great wealth in fifty years, used to collect ordinary works insensibly on the one hand and foisted textiles, furniture, carpets, tombaks and whatever they had from their ancestors in big cities and provinces to junk dealers on the other hand, they first started taking interest in real works of art and became educated in the field. Gradually, this interest turned to Ottoman and Turkish works of art. Written documents, calligraphy works, and apparels were kept and even compiled.

That same interest was aroused in the oil-rich old Ottoman countries and sheikhdoms of the Gulf. There was interest in old Koran copies in Bahrain, Dubai, and Qatar, and museums were founded. The pieces which we know languished thirty or forty years ago, even those owned by families of calligraphers and illuminators who could not make use of the treasure in their homes themselves started to appear one by one and they started circulating for incredible amounts in the triangle of İstanbul, Dubai and Kuwait. As much as there are positive advancements such as refinement, interest and enlightenment in every circulation, there are also speculation and avarice; it is inevitable. Gradually, collections of enamelled tile panels started to be taken out of the storeroom of New Mosque, from the hands of the foundations, and were even pinched out of mosques and started circulating in the region mentioned. When the deceased Sevgi Gönül started to collect noteworthy pieces in this field she found she was up against the sheikhs of the Gulf as competing buyers. Let’s do justice to the sheikhs; when they published the enamelled tile catalogue of their museum, they dedicated this valuable work to Sevgi Gönül, who was a pioneer among those who collected and evaluated İznik enamelled tiles.

The name of Raffi Portakal was a new enterprise that offered European works of art in the İstanbul market. The Turkish government is in the state of a strange lack of cultural policy, which tries to exhibit the works of this country but has no concern for showing the riches of the world to the Turkish public. During her position as the director of the Museum of Islamic Art, Nazan Ölçer gave several examples of exhibiting European works of art in here using her own personal authority. Now, Portakal Gallery is bringing the paintings of famous artists such as Picasso, Bonnard, Utrillo, Monet, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Renoir, paying billions of liras for insurance and by means of the positive impression it has made abroad. The exhibition is open until January 12. I wonder what kind of a crowd would be in Nişantaşı. I am certain these works of art will be purchased and will be displayed in the private museums of this country. It is not that everyone will admire our works in our museums alone; it is high time we started admiring the works of this world.

In Tophane-i Amire, Paşabahçe Stores is exhibiting a wonderful collection of calligraphy on glass. An education of applied fine arts for more than a century has brought about such a branch of industry, the example of which is rare around the world. This refinement can be seen in the works of art displayed. There are some croakers. They say, “the alphabet reform has put an end to calligraphy”. It is not so. Young people are able to continue this art as masterfully as their grandfathers. It is a collection worth seeing.

In contrast to the advanced circles of art, in which an immense amount of money is allotted to the famous works of the world history of art, an impassiveness and shoddiness continues in the centre of the world capital city at the moment. The issue of “Zaman” newspaper dated December 6 reveals with a chart how Süleymaniye, supposedly under protection, is left to decay, and how a significant part of the central area of the culture of the Ottoman Empire was demolished by dark processes and was turned into car parks. It is not possible to understand this attitude in an environment where world’s masterpieces of art are exhibited and purchased with millions of dollars of insurance money. How is it that the refinement attained by wealth and the pillage created by the predisposition to become wealthy can coexist at the two ends of a three-kilometre distance in a state of obtrusive contrast? Nişantaşı and Süleymaniye are not two separate worlds; nevertheless, so long as there is not an integrated basis, it will not be possible to be cleared up of the chaos, cultural anarchy, and the schizophrenic social structure in Turkey.

Title of Publication: Milliyet

Date of Publication: 12.12.2004

Me / you / them

GÜNERI CIVAOĞLU

A question to a pleasant woman in her forties:

“If it were possible, where would you like to be beamed and with whom would you like to have a tête-à-tête dinner with tonight?”

Answer:

“With Clinton, in Paris, at a typical French restaurant…”

Question:

“A hand in hand romantic walk by the River Seine after dinner… Getting a little bit closer… Would you like these as well?”

Answer:

“No… For Clinton is married. I like him but as I say he is married…”

The woman stays silent for a while and then reveals the code of her heart:

“Actually… Would Clinton be my first choice if he were not the president? I don’t think so.”

It seems a man can only create an area of attraction when he overlaps with power…

The questions continue…

“If we sat here together again in 10 year’s time, what would you like to say for the ten years gone by?”

Answer:

“Ten years on earth?” Ten years in my country? Or ten years of mine?”

Question:

“Your ten years.… How would you like your next ten years to go by starting from today?”

Answer:

“Oh, all right… I mean I… the sweetest pivot of speech for everyone… I, I, I… (she laughs, makes fun of it). I would like my ten years in my fifties to be like the ten years in my forties. It would be nice to tell you in ten years that I had a fun ten years. Because… the only times we are left with are those in which we have had fun.”

I reflected this speech from a programme I watched on one of the American TV channels this morning. What is interesting here is that the guest did not perceive the question “How would you like the next ten years to be?” in an “egocentric” way, that she could see the ten years of the world and the country as priority in comparison to oneself.

The way she makes fun of discourses starting with “I, I, I”…

Sometimes there is a state of “not knowing where, to what time, and to a union with whom to be beamed”.

There are also the states of not knowing beforehand but saying, “Right, this is what I wanted” as you experience it…

Yesterday was such a state for me.

First, I was at Raffi Portakal’s exhibition in Nişantaşı. Paintings by legendary artists such as Utrillo, Boudin, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, and Salvador Dali are exhibited in Turkey for the first time.

The walls of the gallery in Nişantaşı were adorned with dark blue velvet.

Breathtaking works of art and a pleasant lighting.

The people of Turkey should buy these paintings as well now.

Why should not one have a Picasso, a Salvador Dali, a Renoir, or a Signac in one’s house? One way of integrating with the EU is culture… Besides, the prices are not “unapproachable” either…

As Raffi Portakal sipped his champagne, he whispered to me, “Something black is coming too.” What came was not “black olive paste”…

Then to Lütfi Kırdar…

“ARTISTANBUL – International Contemporary Art Meeting.”

An exhibition for peace and love, almost 200 Turkish artists… about 80 galleries…

Gallerie Visconti from France, which displays the works of Fikret Mualla, was also participating. The place of friends where I spent evenings with wine, ham, and rural bread…

There, a fragment of time that makes me feel beamed and say, “This is what I have been wanting”.

Then, in the evening, founded in the leadership of Oya Eczacıbaşı, the opening of the İstanbul Modern Art Museum with thousands of people…

On Tuesday evening I had already done that opening “personally”. Our interview with Oya Eczacıbaşı, Metin Akpınar, and Bedri Baykam will be broadcasted on Channel D today.

And we will enjoy it today, with about 20 foreign journalists, at Loft, with a view of the Topkapı Palace.

………

A noteworthy detail within the context of the opening of the Modern Art Museum…

The French President Chirac and German Chancellor Schröder each sent a congratulatory message.

I see these messages as the “carrier pigeons of the EU Summit to be declared on Friday, December 17”.

Question: “What would I like to say on television and write in this column – if it is still mine – in ten year’s time?”

Answer:

“The negotiation process of ten years has come to an end, Turkey’s full membership in the EU has been declared, and I am happy.”

My wish is not pivoted “I, I, I” either.

Title of Publication: Vatan

Date of Publication: 12.12.2004

Selahattin Duman

Painting for sale.. Will also be exchanged with districts with state house..

I want to register how our community went beyond themselves before Raffi Portakal’s “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition…

I got off a taxi.. I was looking for Portakal Art and Culture House.. Somewhere in Nişantaşı.. Everybody I asked “Where is Rafi Portakal’s shop?” described the way straight away..

Don’t ask me why I asked more than one person for the road.. You know the answer by now.. Our news of three days ago announcing that “We are the 36^th among 40 countries in reading comprehension” is explanatory enough for the reason..

This is what I want to say in quotations.. That everybody had heard of an art house..

***

The gallery was full to the brim.. All the distinguished people of İstanbul’s world of business and art were there.. Even though it was overwhelmingly hot inside due to the crowd, I did not take off my coat “lest it should be stolen”.. I went around with it..

There were magnificently beautiful paintings.. Those by the most famous painters.. For instance a Picasso, a Dali, a Monet.. A Lautrec.. A Renoir..

We knew them from museums.. There would be a few metres between you and the painting at best.. Here I was really excited when I was face to face with Picasso’s painting..

OUR PICASSO?

I’ve been talking about it since yesterday! That I have seven stereotypical sentences, that one of them will work at no matter what exhibition I go to.. Just as I was standing in front of Picasso’s painting I was caught by Rıza and his team, who do a programme for TV8..

I was easy because I thought he would ask me for a guess on the Fener-Galatasaray football match.. That is why I was stuck at the question “What will you say about the Picasso painting behind you?” I hadn’t studied Picasso much..

“It’s grreeat.. Really grreeat!” I said.. I was eyeing the painting with a sideways look.. I was trying to gain time.. It would have been awkward if I had said “Great” again.. I told him what occurred to me:

“Same old Picasso..” I said. “He’s got the eyes in the wrong place again..”

The reporter quickly understood that he shouldn’t push me, he thanked me and left.. He was probably afraid that such a start might continue with a sentence like “See what Picassos we would produce if our painters were given plenty of paint and canvas..”

***

I think the importance of this exhibition lies in the fact that such an extensive exhibition has been achieved in Turkey “without the mediation of the state”.. This is Raffi’s accomplishment.. Our accomplishment was to strictly obey the no smoking rule inside.. That is fine as well..

Our stance is not bad as we are on the threshold of the European Union.. Nevertheless, I do not know how we shall make up for the difference..

For instance, there is a painting exhibited by Toulouse-Lautrec … It is called “Dans L'escalier De La Rue Des Moulins” (On the steps of Rue de Moulins)..

That is the title but it is the depiction of a woman scrubbing the steps of a building.. The woman has gathered her skirt on her waist.. As she has no underpants, pardon me, the rest is staring at you like full moon.. The painting is dated to 1895.. A candidate country who insists “I won’t open my head” while it prances about to enter the union of Europe that opened its bottom about 110 years ago.. Tell me how things will work out..

GO FOR IT

We have still made progress.. The elite of our community, that has not completed its 30 years in rising from the floor table to the table, have now become either gourmets or chief tasters.. Those who recently drank compote and cucumber-yoghurt are now discussing wine..

And we have made collectors out of those who used to hang the centrefold pictures of Hayat Mecmuası (Life Magazine) on their walls as paintings.. That is to say we did not knit the country with railway nets only..

Yet, Kemal persists.. He looked and looked at the Toulouse-Lautrec painting in the catalogue in my hand..

“What next!..” he said.. “This painting is not done by him..”

He does not mean to say the painting is fake.. He claims Touoluse-Lautrec’s paintings were made by someone else.. He says it is impossible for a person who earns his living selling napkins at a Parisian brothel, pardon my language, to make these paintings..

He says Lautrec could not have reached the canvas as he was a midget.. So, he said, I was to say how he made the paintings.. A claim is a claim.. I present Kemal’s view with respect..

***

Prices? Quite reasonable.. It is not mine to enumerate the prices of the paintings one by one.. That is Raffi’s job..

There was a Kees Van Dongen painting I loved, for instance.. It was about a hundred years old.. If I were to buy it, I would have to sell the 34 acre vineyard in Haymana.. It would still not be enough.. Fine, we’ll sell the house too.. Still not enough.. We might be able to get together the deposit if we sold the Haymana market with the Ömer Ağa Cinema.. It will be necessary to privatize the government building as well.. We could just about bring the money together if we sold out the spas along with the open swimming pool of the Uyuz public bath, while adding a thousand or two acres of field from around.

REPO IS BETTER..

Let alone purchasing paintings from here.. Even the catalogues of some of the painters the works of whom are being exhibited are a fortune.. For instance, the catalogue which includes the paintings of Eugène Boudin is sold for £ 4300.. It’s approximately 9.5 billion liras..

Picasso’s series of 38 catalogues was 43 thousand Euros.. That is roughly 80 billion old Turkish Liras.. I would think it right if anyone thought that buying Treasury Bonds was the best.. Besides, there is a picture of Atatürk on the bonds as well..

There was also a statue by Rodin among the works of art put out for sale at the exhibition.. You know.. The artist who made that famous statue called “The Thinker”..

There is a replica of that statue in front of that famous asylum of ours as well.. It gives the message “Dangerous thoughts crowd up in thinking minds, our elders think everything better than us,” to those who are able to understand of course..

***

His statue “The Kiss” stood at the end of the gallery.. Some of the guests who looked at the statue right afterwards looked at the stereo embedded in the wooden furniture painted in black standing right next to it..

I warned those of the guests I knew saying, “That is not a statue, it is a stereo..” That is the last service I have done art.. May God accept it..

Title of Publication: Milliyet

Date of Publication: 11.12.2004

It’s raining paintings and statues on Istanbul

GÜNGÖR URAS

Last week it rained paintings and statues on İstanbul… The paintings and statues of numerous artists started to be exhibited all around İstanbul.

Few contemporary works of art are given space in the frequently held auctions of various organizations. Such works of art are usually exhibited in private galleries, and the galleries of banks and corporations. Last week, however, in addition to the usual activities of galleries, three noteworthy collective shows started.

Artİstanbul 2004

The “Artİstanbul 2004” exhibition was opened on Wednesday.

The “Association of Art Gallery Owners,” the president of which is Doğan Paksoy, provides the opportunity of exhibiting the works of numerous artists for five days in İstanbul, at the Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre every autumn. This year contemporary paintings and statues of 212 artists are taking place in the 72 galleries of the exhibition titled “Artİstanbul 2004 - International Contemporary Art Exposition”.

Six foreign galleries from four countries are participating in the exhibition as well. There are galleries from Gaziantep, Antalya, Karabük, and Balıkesir outside of İstanbul. The most interesting gallery of those which participate from outside İstanbul is the one called “Port Art Gallery,” which has been active in the Göcek Marina of Dalaman for two years.

This year special care has been taken in the choice of galleries and works of art. The arrangement is better. The exhibition will end on Sunday evening. It is an art event those who have the opportunity to visit on the weekend with all the family will enjoy. The entrance fee is 6 million liras, and it is 3 million liras for students.

‘Masters’ at Portakal

On Thursday, “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition started at Portakal Art and Culture House.

Raffi Portakal provided the opportunity to exhibit in İstanbul the paintings and a statue of 15 famous artists of the Western world. The original paintings of Boudin, Monet, Renoir, Signac, Lautrec, Bonnard, Vuillard, Vlaminc, Dufy, Van Dongen, Picasso, Utrillo, Kisling, and Dali, and a statue by Rodin are being exhibited together. The exhibition on the Mim Kemal Öke Street may be visited by art lovers until 12 January 2005 free of charge.

It is unknown whether the paintings of the famous painters of the West were brought to Turkey until now, and which works of which famous artist is included in private collections. Through the opportunity Raffi Portakal has created, Turkish art lovers have had the chance to see the numerous works of numerous artists collectively for the first time.

İstanbul Modern

The İstanbul Modern Art Museum is opening today.

Storehouse number 4 at the marina in Tophane has been turned into a museum by the endeavours of Oya Eczacıbaşı. Works of art selected from the collection of Nejat Eczacıbaşı Foundation, and the collections of Oya – Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Mimar Sinan University, İstanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, Türkiye İş Bank, and Deutsche Bank are exhibited in the eight thousand square meter ground that was used as an exhibition hall for the İstanbul Biennale last year.

Oya Eczacıbaşı states that they wish to bring together in İstanbul city and culture, and culture and the human being. She states that they will try to make art meet large masses.

The museum, which will be open between 10:00-18:00 everyday except Mondays, can be visited free of charge until 1 January 2005.

Title of Publication: Zaman

Date of Publication: 11.12.2004

Picasso and Dali throng in Nişantaşı

[News Impression – TUNA GÜREL]

There was a throng at the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition opened the day before at Portakal Art and Culture House. The exhibition, in which the paintings of fifteen world famous artists among whom are also Salvador Dali, Monet, and Picasso made their debut, was not like the openings of exhibitions we have seen so far. The calmness on Mim Kemal Öke Street in Nişantaşı had left its place to a state of extraordinariness as one moved nearer to Portakal Art and Culture House. The front of the building was full of police cars, civil security teams, and ladies and gentlemen in elegant attire. This crowd, which those who passed by could not make anything of, were in queue to enter the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition that could be realized once in a hundred years. Yet, it was not so easy to get inside. The gallery we could reach after having passed through the X-ray machine was crammed. It did not seem possible to even take a step in the hall, let alone wander around. The paintings were given the most sensitive protection. There were bodyguards on both sides of the paintings which were surrounded with security lines. Those who had come to visit the exhibition were not at all disturbed by this scene which would, at another time or place, have made art lovers revolt; on the contrary, they looked very pleased. After all, those that had to be protected were the most precious paintings of the world history of painting.

In the opening which politicians, businessmen, and the high society of İstanbul rushed into, there were some painters, though few. Expressing his feeling in a state of joy, Prof. Hüsamettin Koçan, who came to see the exhibition of the masters’ paintings, declared that it was “a historical night”. Koçan said, “This is a belated activity. I ask why it was not held earlier; however, I hope this will continue,” and invited all art lovers to see those works of art. Mehmet Güleryüz, painter, who stated “It is a historical day. The people here lack nothing in consciousness in comparison to Westerners,” seemed rather happy with the interest in the paintings. Raffi Portakal, who brought the seventeen paintings by fifteen painters to Turkey having them insured for 28,3 billion liras, was exceedingly happy. Answering our question “How do you feel?” by saying “Years ago Monets and Picassos were sold in galleries in France. I used to ask my father ‘Can we do this as well?’ and he would say ‘That is a dream, son.’ Now, in Turkey, I am actualizing that dream,” Portakal heralded the good news that in the case of the realization of his expectations such exhibitions would be continued.

The “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition at Portakal Art and Culture House will be open until 12 January 2005. Those who wish to own the paintings of artists such as Salvador Dali, Monet, Picasso, Dufy, Bonnard, Boudin, Vlaminck, Toulouse, and Vuillard will be able to pay for them and add these works of art into their collections.

The “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition opened at Portakal Art and Culture House on Mim Kemal Öke Street in Nişantaşı may be visited until 12 January 2005.

Title of Publication: Sabah

Date of Publication: 11.12.2004

Throng for paintings worth billions

Art lovers thronged to Portakal Art and Culture House in Nişantaşı to see the paintings of great masters such as Picasso, Renoir, Monet, and Dali. The “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition brought together the famous persons of high society, and the world of business and politics. The guests formed long queues to be able to see the exhibition that comprised of a total of sixteen paintings and a statue. The fortunate guests who could get inside, on the other hand, could not observe the paintings as they wished because of the extreme cramming. The works of art the cheapest of which was sold for 200 thousand Euros and the most expensive of which was sold for 2 million Euros were insured at 15 million Euros. The exhibition will be open until 12 January.

Orhan MERDİVAN/MAGAZINE

Famous persons attended the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition held at Portakal Art and Culture House. (right to left) Raffi Portakal, Güler Sabancı, chairperson of the board of Sabancı Holding, Kadir Topbaş, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor, and İzzet Günay, cinema artist.

Title of Publication: Vatan

Date of Publication: 10.12.2004

Picasso causes throng

The works of great masters such as Picasso, Dali, and Renoir in the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition Portakal Art and Culture House organized in Turkey for the first time were viewed in awe.

Bülent GÜNAL / NEWS CENTER

The “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition organized by Portakal Art and Culture House, which had been looked forward to by art lovers for days, was opened last night with a cocktail party. There was a great crowd at the opening of the exhibition which includes the works of the famous artists of Western painting, such as Picasso, Dali, Roden , and Renoir.

Answering the questions of VATAN newspaper regarding the exhibition which caused great excitement among art lovers and collectors in Turkey, Raffi Portakal said, “This exhibition that I have been able to actualize at the end of a two years’ work is a first time event in Turkey. The exhibition includes sixteen paintings each more valuable than the other, and a world famous statue by Roden. Yet, this is a belated exhibition. The amount of interest it draws is a proof of how belated it is. Nonetheless, the interest art lovers have shown to our exhibition so as to create a throng has made me extremely happy.”

IMPORTANT ON THE WAY TO EU

Not concealing his excitement, Portakal continued his words as such: “All of the works of art belong to a collector in England. I cannot say anything about the prices, but I can say that they will be sold for inexpensive prices. Those who wish to buy any of these pieces will talk to the owner of the works. What is important for us is that Turkey, on the way to the EU, has hosted such an important exhibition. It is that our country and we have been trusted. This makes us really happy. This exhibition will pave the way to other important exhibitions such as this one.”

Famous persons from the worlds of business and art gathered together at the opening at Portakal Art and Culture House in Nişantaşı. Many art lovers were among those who visited the exhibition as well as Kadir Topbaş, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor, Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Güler Sabancı, and İzzet Günay. The masterpieces at the exhibition that will be held for a month will be exhibited at Portakal Art and Culture House in Nişantaşı.

Prices in the exhibition vary between

200 thousand Euros and 2 million Euros

· Salvador Dali’s painting titled “Sorcery – The Seven Arts”

· Rene Francois Auguste Rodin’s statue "La Jeunesse Triomphante”

· Edouard Vuillard’s painting titled “La Femme Aux Bas Noirs”

· Raoul Dufy’s painting titled “Le Pecheur Sur La Jetee”

· Pierre Bonnard’s painting titled “Au Grand Temps Ou Le Parc”

· Raoul Dufy’s painting titled “L'avenue Du Bois”

· Moise Kisling’s painting titled “Portrait of Madamme B. Dunn”

· Kees Van Dongen’s painting titled “Portrait of Guus,”

· Maurice Utrillo’s painting titled “Beautiful Gabrielle”

· Eugene - Louis Boudin’s painting titled “Scene de Plage”

· Eugene - Louis Boudin’s painting titled “Villerville, Le Rivage Et La Mer”

· Paul Signac’s painting titled “Port - En Bessin, La Plage”

· Pierre Auguste Renoir’s painting titled “L'enfant a La Chaise”

· Pablo Picasso’s painting titled “Man with a Pipe”

· Henri de Toulouse Lautrec’s painting titled “Dans L'escalier De La Rue Des Moulins”

· Claude Monet’s painting titled “Chalands Sur La Seine”

· Maurice De Vlaminck’s painting titled “Le Port Du Havre”

The guests who attended the opening of the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition took great interest in Pablo Picasso’s painting titled “Man with a Pipe”. (Photographs: İlker AKGÜNGÖR)

Title of Publication: Hürriyet

Date of Publication: 04.12.2004

Picassos in Nişantaşı

ANOTHER FIRST TIME IN TURKEY

Raffi Portakal, the famous antique dealer, brought the paintings of fourteen world famous artists such as Picasso, Dali, and Monet to Turkey for the first time in order to exhibit and sell them.

Open for purchase

The sixteen paintings of the world’s most famous fourteen painters brought to İstanbul will be exhibited at Portakal Art and Culture House between 9 December and 12 January. Those art lovers who wish to purchase the works of art will be able to offer prices.

Insured for 28 billion liras

The famous sculptor Auguste Rodin’s work titled "La Jeunesse Triomphante” will also be there at the exhibition. The valuable works of art brought to Turkey were insured for 15 million Euros (approximately 28 billion liras).

PIECES BROUGHT

PICASSO “Man with a Pipe”

DALI “Sorcery – The Seven Arts”

RENOIR “L'enfant a La Chaise”

MONET “Chalands Sur La Seine”

BOUDIN “Scene de Plage”

BOUDIN “Villerville, Le Rivage Et La Mer”

KISLING “Portrait of Madamme B. Dunn”

Resim altı:

They trusted Turkey

Seen with the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s (1881-1972) painting “Man with a Pipe,” Raffi Portakal said, “These paintings were entrusted to me by a collector. Only me? No. He trusted Turkey. He believed the fact that there is a potential in Turkey.”

Paintings of 14 famous artists brought with insurance for 15 million Euros

Creating a first time by exhibiting Sabancı’s Collection of Calligraphy abroad, Raffi Portakal actualizes another first time, this time by bringing to Turkey the works of world famous painters. Portakal exhibits and puts up for sale sixteen famous oil paintings by fourteen famous painters in Turkey for the first time with the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition.

All of the works of art to be displayed until 12 January, following the opening to take place on 9 December at Portakal Art and Culture House in Nişantaşı, are works that take place in books about the artists. None of the works of Boudin, Monet, Renoir, Signac, Lautrec, Bonnard, Vuillard, Vlaminck, Dufy, Van Dongen, Picasso, Utrillo, Kisling, and Dali, artists who take place in the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition, are exhibited in the museums in Turkey. As far as it is known, the works of some of these artists are in private collections. Portakal’s exhibition is important in that this is the first exhibition in which the works of these artists are included.

THEY TRUSTED TURKEY

Describing this exhibition as “the meeting of coincidence, accumulation, and dreams,” Raffi Portakal, the chairman of Portakal Art and Culture House, emphasized that an exhibition in which the original works of such famous artists existed should have been held in Turkey at least 20-30 years ago. Saying, “We had the chance to do this belated job in the process of entering the EU,” Portakal continued as follows: “These paintings were entrusted to me by a collector. Only me? No. They trusted Turkey. They trusted us and gave us the paintings because they believed that there was a potential in Turkey, that Turkey is trustworthy, that its legislations were satisfactory. We can talk about my personal efforts here, the past of my family may be effective, but this exhibition is not only my success. Beyond these, it is the trust in Turkey. In the 21^st century in our country it is going to be the first time we meet artists like Picasso in an exhibition open to art lovers.”

INSURED FOR 15 MILLION EUROS

While desiring that these works of art can be acquired by Turkey, with regard to sales Portakal contented by saying “We shall wait and see.” Those who desire the works that were insured for this exhibition for 15 million Euros (28.3 billion TL) will wait for the exhibition to end. In the case that the works brought to Turkey through temporary import are sold, customs and sales procedures will be renewed. While private security precautions have been taken for the protection of the works throughout the exhibition, the works of art will also be protected by law enforcement officials.

Sending invitations to six thousand people, Raffi Portakal sent a declaration to universities stating that students could visit the exhibition on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Exhibition includes Rodin as well

· A work of the world famous sculptor Auguste Rodin, known in Turkey with his work titled “The Thinker,” a replica of which stands in the garden of Bakırköy Mental Health Institution, also takes place in Portakal’s exhibition. The only statue in the exhibition is Rodin’s "La Jeunesse Triomphante.”

Great interest expected for Monet and Picasso

Not revealing the name of the collector who owns the works in the exhibition, Raffi Portakal did not want to reveal information on the value of the works. As to which piece was more valuable, he contented by saying “everything has a value of its own, there is not a thing as most valuable”. Nevertheless, Portakal’s guess is that Monet with his “Chalands Sur La Seine” and Picasso with his “Man with a Pipe” will be the two painters that will draw the most attention.

16 works from 14 famous painters

Edouard Vuillard	La Femme Aux Bas Noirs
Raoul Dufy	Le Pecheur Sur La Jetee
Raoul Dufy	L'avenue Du Bois
Pierre Bonard	Au Grand Temps Ou Le Parc
Moise Kisling	Portrait of Madamme B. Dunn
Kees Van Dongen	Portrait of Guus
Maurice Utrillo	Beautiful Gabrielle
Eugene - Louis Boudin	Scene de Plage
Eugene - Louis Boudin	Villerville, Le Rivage Et La Mer
Paul Signac	Port - En Bessin, La Plage
Pierre Auguste Renoir	L'enfant a La Chaise
Pablo Picasso	Man with a Pipe
Salvador Dali	Sorcery – The Seven Arts
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec	Dans L'escalier De La Rue Des Moulins
Claude Monet	Chalands Sur La Seine
Maurice De Vlaminck	Le Port Du Havre

Üstteki resimler:

DALI VLAMINCK DUFY

Sorcery Le Port Du Havre Le Pecheur Sur La Jetee

Raffi Portakal, the famous antique dealer and auctioneer, brought the works of fourteen world famous painters such as Dali, Monet and Picasso, and famous sculptor Rodin to Turkey for the first time. The works of art to be displayed between 10 December and 12 January at Portakal Art and Culture House will also be put up for sale. The insurance rate of the works reached 15 million Euros.

Title of Publication: Hürriyet

Date of Publication: 9 December 2004 Thursday

With the masters of painting

I write this article from the “Great Masters of Western Painting” exhibition at Portakal Art and Culture House.

The most select works of so many great masters of the history of painting are collectively displayed in Turkey for the first time.

Another important aspect of the exhibition is that the works of art on display could be purchased. I believe collectors of painting in Turkey will display great interest in this exhibition because they could buy those they like and choose. Looking at the works in this exhibition, we could say that the exhibition undertakes the function of a temporary, small museum for Turkey.

Which artists are in this exhibition?

Boudin, Rodin, Monet, Renoir, Signac, Lautrec, Bonnard, Vuillard, Vlaminck, Dufy, Van Dongen, Picasso, Utrillo, Kisling, and Dali.

Many people, especially those who have not been abroad, will see the original works of the masters of the world of painting there for the first time.

Raffi Portakal said that his efforts to organize this exhibition went on for two years. The exhibition will continue for a month and will be open for visits until eight o’clock everyday except Sundays.

I think there will be more exhibitions if this exhibition becomes a success. I am hoping that we shall be able to see exhibitions of such quality and such richness. The rate of holding such exhibitions will increase with respect to the sales.

***

Looking at the exhibition catalogue, I found that there was a much better print quality than international catalogues. I came to this judgement by comparing the catalogue with the catalogues and art history books published by the famous publishing houses of the West.

The catalogue includes detailed information for the visitors and the bidders. It also includes information on former owners, the exhibitions the works have been in, publications about them, and views of experts.

Raffi Portakal states that one of his dreams has come true in his article titled “On Account of This Exhibition…” at the beginning of the catalogue:

“In the past, while I watched sales of paintings in the auction halls of “Hotel Drout” in Paris with my father, I used to ask my father whether some day we would be able to sell a Van Gogh, a Monet, a Renoir in Turkey; and he used to tell me that this was a dream that could hardly come true.”

Raffi Portakal says he could not explain the excitement he felt from the arrival of the boxes in which the works came to their being transported to the exhibition site.

Furthermore, he claims that the packages had the value of a work of art themselves.

I have no doubts that this exhibition will be visited by collectors and those interested in painting. The people I would actually like to invite to this exhibition, those who should visit the exhibition to get to know good painting are students.

***

As I write, I am looking at Monet’s “Chalands Sur La Seine” that stands in front of me.