The exhibition at Istanbul’s Pera Museum explores the rich history of diplomatic and artistic exchanges between the Ottoman Empire and Europe from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Drawing from the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation’s renowned Orientalist Painting Collection, the exhibition features portraits of ambassadors and depictions of ceremonial events that highlight the intricate and often complex relationships between these two cultural spheres.

One standout piece is Kaplumbağa Terbiyecisi (The Tortoise Trainer) by Osman Hamdi Bey, a key figure in Ottoman art. This painting symbolizes the patient, deliberate efforts to educate and bridge cultural gaps, blending Western artistic techniques with Eastern themes—a perfect example of the fusion at the heart of the exhibition.

Inspired by these artworks, Common Muse selected visual elements from the paintings—such as intricate patterns, colors, and motifs—to design an elegant collection of homeware, accessories, and textiles. This collection transforms historic art into contemporary products, allowing people to bring a piece of this rich cultural dialogue into their everyday lives.

The collection reflects how art served not just as documentation of diplomatic ties, but as an active medium for cultural exchange, reinterpreted here in practical and beautiful forms.