If you are looking for a cultural and educational experience in Izmir, the Arkas Sanat Merkezi is the place to go. This art museum, located in the historic building of the former French Consulate, showcases the impressive Arkas Collection of more than 900 works from various fields of art, as well as the works of international painters from different periods and genres. Whether you are an art lover, a history buff, or a curious traveler, you will find something to admire and enjoy at the Arkas Sanat Merkezi.
Collections and Exhibitions
The main attraction of the Arkas Sanat Merkezi is its diverse and rich collections and exhibitions of various fields of art. The museum houses the Arkas Collection, which is the private collection of Lucien Arkas, the chairman of Arkas Holding, one of the leading companies in Turkey. The Arkas Collection contains more than 900 works from Turkish and foreign artists, ranging from paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, to photography and video art. The collection reflects the personal taste and vision of Lucien Arkas, who has been collecting art since his childhood.
Some of the notable and famous works and artists in the Arkas Collection are:
Osman Hamdi Bey, the pioneer of Turkish painting, who is known for his orientalist scenes and portraits, such as The Tortoise Trainer and The Young Emir Studying.
Jean-Léon Gérôme, the French painter and sculptor, who is known for his realistic and exotic depictions of the Middle East and ancient history, such as The Snake Charmer and Pollice Verso.
Ivan Aivazovsky, the Russian painter, who is known for his masterful and dramatic seascapes, such as The Ninth Wave and The Battle of Sinop.
Gustave Courbet, the French painter, who is known for his realistic and provocative paintings of landscapes, still lifes, and nudes, such as The Origin of the World and The Stone Breakers.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions of the works of international painters from different periods and genres, such as impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, and abstract art. Some of the past and present exhibitions are:
Monet: The Garden Paintings, which featured 12 paintings of Claude Monet’s famous gardens at Giverny, France, from the collections of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag.
Picasso: The Artist and His Muses, which featured 60 paintings, sculptures, and drawings of Pablo Picasso’s six most influential muses, from the collections of the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museo Picasso Málaga.
Dalí: The Persistence of Memory, which featured 150 paintings, sculptures, and prints of Salvador Dalí’s surreal and imaginative works, from the collections of the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain.
History and Architecture
The Arkas Sanat Merkezi is not only a place of art, but also a place of history and architecture. The museum is located in the historic building of the former French Consulate, which dates back to the 19th century. The building was designed by the French architect Raymond Charles Péré, who also designed the famous Galata Tower in Istanbul. The building was completed in 1906 and served as the French diplomatic mission until 2009, when it was transferred to Arkas Holding for restoration and renovation.
The building is a fine example of the neoclassical style, which was popular in Europe and Turkey at the time. The building has a symmetrical and elegant facade, with a triangular pediment, a colonnaded portico, and a central dome. The building has two floors, with nine exhibition rooms and a workshop. The interior of the building preserves the original features and decorations, such as the marble staircase, the stained glass windows, the wooden floors, and the fireplaces. The building also has a beautiful garden, which is used for outdoor events and concerts.
Visitor Information
If you are planning to visit the Arkas Sanat Merkezi, here are some practical and useful information that you need to know:
- The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and national holidays.
- The entry fee is 20 Turkish Liras for adults, 10 Turkish Liras for students and seniors, and free for children under 12 years old. The museum also offers discounts for groups and annual memberships.
- The museum has a guided tour service, which is available in Turkish, English, and French. The guided tours are free of charge and last for about an hour. The guided tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. You can book your tour online or at the reception desk.
- The museum also has a workshop service, which is available for children and adults. The workshops are designed to enhance the creativity and skills of the participants, and are related to the themes and techniques of the exhibitions. The workshops are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can book your workshop online or at the reception desk.
- The museum has a gift shop, which sells books, catalogs, posters, postcards, magnets, and other souvenirs related to the museum and its collections. The gift shop is open during the museum hours.
- The museum has a cafe, which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, and desserts. The cafe is open during the museum hours and has a terrace overlooking the garden.
- The museum has a website, which provides more information about the museum, its collections, its exhibitions, its events, and its services. You can visit the website at www.arkassanatmerkezi.com.
- The museum has a phone number, which is +90 232 464 66 00. You can call the museum for any inquiries or reservations.
- The museum has an email address, which is info@arkassanatmerkezi.com. You can email the museum for any feedback or suggestions.
- The museum has a social media presence, which includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. You can follow the museum on these platforms for the latest news and updates.
- The museum is located at Cumhuriyet Bulvarı No: 11 Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey. You can reach the museum by public transportation, such as bus, metro, tram, or ferry. The nearest bus stop is Alsancak Vapur İskelesi, the nearest metro station is Konak, the nearest tram station is Alsancak, and the nearest ferry terminal is Alsancak İskelesi. You can also reach the museum by taxi or car, as there is a parking lot nearby.
Tips and Recommendations
To make the most of your visit to the Arkas Sanat Merkezi, here are some tips and recommendations that you can follow:
Book your tickets, tours, and workshops in advance, as they may sell out quickly, especially during the peak seasons and weekends.
Check the website for the current and upcoming exhibitions, as they may change frequently and offer different experiences and perspectives.
Allow at least two hours to explore the museum and its collections, as there is a lot to see and learn.
Respect the rules and regulations of the museum, such as no photography, no touching, no smoking, no food and drinks, and no pets.
Enjoy the garden and the cafe, as they offer a relaxing and refreshing break from the museum.
Other attractions and activities in Izmir
Explore the other attractions and activities in Izmir that are related or complementary to the Arkas Sanat Merkezi, such as:
The Arkas Maritime History Center, which is another museum owned by Arkas Holding, that displays the maritime heritage of Izmir and Turkey, with models, maps, documents, and artifacts.
The Arkas Art Urla, which is another art venue owned by Arkas Holding, that showcases the works of contemporary artists in a historical mansion in Urla, a coastal town near Izmir.
The Arkas Art Bornova Mattheys Mansion, which is another art venue owned by Arkas Holding, that exhibits the works of Turkish and foreign painters from the 19th and 20th centuries in a restored mansion in Bornova, a district of Izmir.
The Izmir Museum of Art and Sculpture, which is another art museum in Izmir, that displays the works of Turkish and foreign artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a focus on the Izmir School of Painting.
The Kemeraltı Bazaar, which is the historical and cultural center of Izmir, that offers a lively and colorful shopping experience, with hundreds of shops, cafes, restaurants, and mosques.
The Konak Square, which is the main square of Izmir, that features the iconic Clock Tower, the symbol of the city, as well as the Konak Mosque, the Konak Pier, and the Konak Yalı Mosque.
The Clock Tower, which is a 25-meter-high tower that was built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The tower has four fountains and a clock that was a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
The Konak Mosque, which is a 19th-century mosque that was built by the order of the governor of Izmir, Kâmil Pasha. The mosque has a single dome, a single minaret, and a marble fountain.
The Konak Pier, which is a 19th-century pier that was designed by the French architect Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The pier was originally used as a customs house, but now serves as a shopping mall and a cultural center.
The Konak Yalı Mosque, which is a 18th-century mosque that was built by the order of the Ottoman admiral Hacı Hüseyin Paşa. The mosque has a hexagonal plan, a single dome, and a single minaret.
The Arkas Sanat Merkezi is a must-see attraction for anyone who visits Izmir, as it offers a unique and enriching experience of art and history. The museum displays the impressive Arkas Collection and the works of international painters in a historic building that was formerly the French Consulate. Whether you are an art lover, a history buff, or a curious traveler, you will find something to admire and enjoy at the Arkas Sanat Merkezi. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the art and history of Izmir at the Arkas Sanat Merkezi.
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