LEONARDO DE MANGO - ISTANBUL

LEONARDO DE MANGO

The Italian artist, who started painting since childhood, participated in a drawing competition in 1862 with the support of his circle. This competition, in which he won first prize, paved the way for him to the Naples Academy. De Mango, who studied here for eight years with teachers such as D'Auria, Malderelli, Postiglione, Mancinelli and Domenico Moreli, won the grand prize in drawing in 1867.

After completing his education, the artist wanted to improve his artistic knowledge and experience by traveling and aimed to get to know the eastern countries in particular in line with the fashion trends of the period.

After Venice, De Mango traveled to Syria in 1874 and traveled throughout the country, eventually settling in Beirut. During the nine years he spent there, he painted portraits, religious paintings and landscapes. He was appointed a drawing instructor at the Jesuit College in Beirut. In the artist's compositions of this period, it is seen that he sought a transparent and warm light, and that he was influenced by the Orientalist Decamps in the creation of light and shadow effects and tonalities. Paintings such as 'Midan Street in Damascus' and 'Behind Midan Street' reflect this period.

After the years he spent in Syria, the artist, whose curiosity to see different countries had reawakened, went to Cairo this time. He painted the Nile River and the pyramids. After Egypt, De Mango went to Tripoli and stayed there for months; he created paintings such as 'Africa, General View of Tripoli', 'Sunset Near Tripoli', and 'Sidi-Manzur', depicting the endless sand dunes of the desert, the greenery of the oasis and the magnificence of ancient ruins.

After this, it can now be seen that De Mango is completely connected to the East.

After staying in Milan for a few weeks, the artist came to Istanbul in 1883 and settled there permanently.

He worked in Istanbul at the same time as other Italian artists such as Zonaro, Valeri and Bello. He painted scenes from the city's neighborhoods such as Fener, Eyüp, Adalar, Büyükdere and Göksu, and sold them mostly to Europeans living in Beyoğlu. In 1906, he presented more than twenty paintings he had made in previous years to the 'Societa Operaia'. His painting 'Sea View from Büyükada' was purchased for the Chigi Palace in Rome. De Mango left Türkiye briefly during the Tripoli War in 1911, but remained in Istanbul until the end of his life after his return. De Mango participated in four of the Istanbul Salons and his paintings exhibited include 'Friday at the Küçüksu Fountain', 'Impression from the Street in Eyüp', 'Night at the Fener', and 'At the Fountain'.

The painter, who painted outdoors and in his studio in Beyoğlu, reflected daily life in different districts of Istanbul.