Green Mosque Portal of Bursa, Ottoman Islamic Architecture, Raymond 1924

Title: Green Mosque Portal of Bursa, Ottoman Islamic Architecture, Raymond 1924

Description:

An original color lithographic architectural plate from Alexandre M. Raymond's celebrated folio L'Art Islamique en Orient, IIe Partie, published in 1924. This impressive sheet depicts the monumental portal of the Yeşil Djami (Green Mosque) in Bursa, dated to 1420, one of the supreme masterpieces of early Ottoman architecture and decorative art.

The composition records the richly ornamented entrance in remarkable detail, combining monumental calligraphic borders, arabesque carving, geometric ornament, and the celebrated muqarnas niche that rises above the doorway in a dramatic cascade of sculptural forms. Every surface is animated with intricate decoration, reflecting the extraordinary craftsmanship that flourished during the formative period of the Ottoman Empire.

Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I following the Ottoman Interregnum, the Green Mosque became a symbol of imperial renewal and artistic achievement. The building introduced a refined decorative vocabulary that blended Seljuk traditions with emerging Ottoman aesthetics. Its portal, represented here with scholarly precision, is among the most celebrated architectural ensembles in Turkey and remains one of Bursa's greatest historic monuments.

The towering frame of Quranic inscriptions surrounding the entrance exemplifies the integration of calligraphy and architecture that defines Islamic art. The magnificent muqarnas canopy above the door creates a visual transition between earthly and celestial space, while the alternating voussoirs of the arched opening echo decorative traditions inherited from earlier Anatolian and Persian models.

Alexandre Marcel Raymond (1872 to 1941), a French architect born in Constantinople, dedicated his career to documenting the architectural heritage of the Ottoman world. His monumental publications remain indispensable references for historians, architects, and collectors. Printed by M. Schulz in Prague, the plates combine archaeological rigor with exceptional lithographic artistry, preserving important monuments in exquisite detail.

The restrained palette of pale green, warm stone tones, and delicate greys lends the work a refined and timeless decorative quality. Equally suited to contemporary interiors and scholarly collections, the print stands as both a work of art and a significant historical document.

This is an original antique print from 1924 and not a modern reproduction. It is sold unframed. Any framed images are for inspiration only.

Condition:

Good antique condition with age-related toning, scattered foxing, and minor handling wear to the margins. A horizontal fold line is visible across the lower middle section of the sheet, with light creasing consistent with age. The image itself remains strong, attractive, and highly decorative.

Framing Tips:

Sold unframed. This monumental architectural composition benefits from a wide ivory museum mat within an ebonized, dark walnut, or antique bronze frame. Museum glass is recommended to preserve the subtle tonal variations and intricate details of the lithograph.

Technique: Color lithograph

Maker: Alexandre M. Raymond, France/Constantinople, 1924

Keywords:

Alexandre Raymond, L Art Islamique en Orient, Yeşil Cami, Green Mosque Bursa, Bursa architecture, Broussa, Ottoman architecture, Islamic architecture, Mehmed I, Ottoman Empire, muqarnas, Islamic portal, Quranic calligraphy, Arabic inscriptions, Islamic ornament, arabesque carving, Seljuk influence, early Ottoman art, Turkish architecture, Anatolian monuments, architectural lithograph, antique Islamic print, sacred architecture, Islamic decorative arts, original antique print, color lithograph, museum quality print, unframed antique print, Islamic geometric design, Middle Eastern art, Ottoman heritage, architectural history, Bursa Green Mosque, Islamic interior design, historical architecture, Alexandre Marcel Raymond, Prague printing, M Schulz, 1420 architecture, monumental portal.