Ahead of the V&A’s landmark autumn exhibition, the iconic museum has published a comprehensive investigation of Istanbul’s shifting art scene throughout history: Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires. 

Here, authors Tim Stanley, Antony Eastmond and Bella Radenović explore how a city which was once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires developed an art scene which influenced Europe and the world. 

Having held the status of one of Europe’s grandest cities for over 1600 years, the comprehensive book spotlights how these different transformations between rulers shaped its people. 

From its 330 CE position as the capital of both the Roman and Byzantine empires under the name Constantinople, to being conquered by an Ottoman sultan in 1453, and finally being renamed Istanbul in 1922, these two different empires produced distinct yet coherent artistic traditions in the city.

Peppered with eye-catching imagery of textiles, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, manuscripts and more, the V&A’s latest publication is an excellent starting point for those looking to attend the comprehensive exhibition this November.