Photo : Louis Nicolas de Lespinasse (1734 - 1808), "En europeisk ministers måltid hos Storvisiren i Divanen", Photo Nationalmuseum
Seminar: France, Sweden and the Ottoman Empire: Artistic Alliances
Travel back to a time when Northern European eyes first discovered the intricate beauty and vibrant traditions of the Ottoman Empire. This showcase reveals a captivating fusion of diplomacy and artistic wonder, highlighting how unexpected alliances shaped Western perceptions of the East. It is a brilliant deep dive into a cultural dialogue that felt as fresh and curious back then as it does today.
Institut Suédois (Paris 3rd)
About
The Institut Suédois hosts a compelling exhibition from October 3 to November 1, 2026, examining the 18th-century artistic and diplomatic alliances between France, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire. Featuring works from the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, the display highlights the mutual fascination and cultural exchanges that defined this era, from Istanbul’s grand architecture to the period’s idealized vision of Eastern life. Located in the 3rd arrondissement, the exhibition is free to attend and requires no booking. Doors are open Tuesday through Sunday, from 12:00 to 19:00, offering a unique opportunity to explore historical interactions through art and documentation.
In the 18th century, relations between the West and the Orient calmed down after long centuries marked by armed conflict. France, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire allied against their common enemies, Russia and Austria. Diplomatic exchanges became structured, permanent embassies were established, and travel became more accessible. In this new context, a mutual curiosity developed: Europeans and Ottomans observed and influenced one another. Western artists and intellectuals were passionate about Ottoman costumes and interiors, constructing the image of an idealized world. The figure of the sultan and court life inspired literature, visual arts, and performing arts, while also sparking discussions fueled by the spirit of the Enlightenment.
The exhibition presents a selection of works from the collections of the Institut suédois and the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, which illustrate these movements.
The chronological journey opens with two paintings created by a Swedish painter based on the works of Jean-Baptiste Vanmour, who accompanied the French ambassador on a trip to Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1699. His views of the city, ceremonies, and the local population in traditional clothing were disseminated in Europe through engravings in the Recueil de cent estampes représentant différentes nations du Levant (1714), deeply impacting the Western imagination.
The exhibition also includes several drawings by Cornelius Loos, an officer who participated in an expedition commissioned by King Charles XII of Sweden, who was exiled in the Ottoman Empire after being defeated by Russia. Confined to his camp, the king decided to send his men into the Muslim world to document it. Loos's drawings offer a remarkable look at the architecture and landscapes of Constantinople, including urban panoramas, mosques, palaces, and interior views of the Hagia Sophia.
The exhibition also addresses the role of merchants and interpreters in cultural exchanges. Asmund Palm, director of the Swedish Levant Company (Levantiska kompaniet), created to promote trade with France and the Ottoman Empire, had portraits painted of himself and his daughter in Ottoman costumes. Ignatius Mouradgea d'Ohsson, a French-Armenian interpreter for the Swedish embassy, published the Tableau général de l’Empire ottoman in the 1780s, which outlines a scholarly and documented approach to Islam, laws, and Ottoman institutions. Original watercolors created for this work are shown in the exhibition, depicting scenes and interiors of official life in Istanbul.
In addition to modern-day Turkey and Greece, the vast Ottoman Empire in the 18th century encompassed a large part of the Balkan Peninsula, the Middle East, and North Africa. Islam was the dominant religion, but other beliefs were tolerated. Constantinople (which became Istanbul in the 20th century) was the capital and the city where the sultan resided.
Curator: Martin Olin, Director of Collections at the Nationalmuseum.
Exhibition in collaboration with the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, manager of the collection and permanent exhibition of the Institut suédois.
Thanks to the Björn and Inger Savén Foundation.
Practical information
Free admission without reservation
Our take on this event
During the 18th century, shifting political landscapes allowed for new levels of interaction between France, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire. Curated by Martin Olin, this exhibition explores how diplomats, artists, and merchants fostered an environment of reciprocal influence, shaping Western perceptions of the Ottoman world through visual arts and literature.
The collection includes significant works such as engravings based on Jean-Baptiste Vanmour’s observations of 1699 Constantinople and Cornelius Loos’s detailed architectural sketches. Visitors can also view the original watercolors for Ignatius Mouradgea d’Ohsson’s scholarly study of Ottoman institutions, alongside portraits depicting the era’s fascination with Eastern attire.
This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, and is held at the Institut Suédois, 11 rue Payenne. Admission is free and open to all without the need for a reservation. You are welcome to visit any day from Tuesday to Sunday, between 12:00 and 19:00.
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