Count Amadeo Preziosi (Maltese, 1816-1882)

Büyükdere is a village situated on the northern side of a large bay on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The name means great valley, and it has been famous since antiquity for the surrounding beautiful countryside. Large houses with splendid gardens were built next to the shore here, including the Russian Embassy, depicted by Preziosi on the left; the building still survives but in a derelict condition. On the water in the foreground are a small ferryboat and a fishing boat.