The Tortoise Trainer Istanbul

Painting by Osman Hamdi Bey

Zekeriya from Istanbul

"The "Tortoise Trainer" is one of my favorite paintings to be found in Istanbul. You can see it in the contemporary/orientalist Istanbul Pera museum."

Like most people this is one of my favourite paintings to stare at for hours. It is a painting by Osman Hamdi Bey which was originally called in Turkish "Kaplumbağalar ve Adam" (The tortoises and The man) but later, with popularity, it was generally named The Tortoise Trainer.

The painter painted two versions of this, one in 1906 and the other in 1907. The one documented in the photo is the first version and is located in one of the best contemporary/orientalist/classical museums of İstanbul Pera Museum. It is displayed in this Museum for the public and photos can be taken (without flash obviously).

It's an oil on canvas with 221,5 x 120 cm dimensions. If you are an art lover I would definitely suggest you have a stop at the Pera Museum just to only see this painting as it's extremely worthwhile.

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Istanbul Spotter Zekeriya

About me I am devoted to culture; to experience the "other" ways of living, eating, observing and travel. I believe that mutual language is to understand the culture of others. I am a devotee for travel, music and photography. I love to experience world music as well, the music out there that opens up the minds and crushes down boundaries. Why Istanbul? Because Istanbul is unique... Athens, Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, or those that have come after, such as Baghdad and Damascus... These are cities with mono-culture, cities that do not host a historical continuity o...

About this spot

Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65

Entrance:

no-price

Website

2123349900

Social

Oct 30, 2025

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