Iksel: The Art of the Panoramic Scene

As soon as you enter its Rue Bonaparte showroom in Paris you understand Iksel's contribution to the world of interior design. You are instantly immersed in a landscape that pushes back the boundaries of the walls and ceilings so far that they disappear. You are carried away by the precise, detailed view of the Bosphorus spread out before you, with sailing ships gliding on the river, trees dotting the composition and the domes of mosques faintly visible in the background, all dominated by a sense of rural nature. The light is soft and peaceful, very different from intense oriental sunshine. This panoramic scene was taken from an 1850 engraving by the Maltese painter Giovanni Jean Schranz (1794-1882), famous for his landscapes and harbor views. It was transposed to and printed on 90 cm-wide (35.4 in) strips, with the buildings and figures removed to accentuate the Romantic atmosphere cherished by Mehmet and Dimonah Iksel. The husband and wife take inspiration from Old Master paintings, antique frescoes and architectural…