A Jereed Game in Kağıthane

Movement spreads across this wide landscape, filled with riders galloping, turning, and throwing their spears in a lively display of skill. The jereed game unfolds as both sport and ceremony, watched by small groups gathered along the edges of the field. Horses and riders form shifting patterns against the open ground, while trees and distant hills frame the action with calm balance.

Painted by Luigi Acquarone, the scene reflects European fascination with Ottoman life and traditions in the 19th century. Kağıthane, a popular leisure area near Istanbul, was known for public festivities and spectacles like this one. Acquarone presents the event with clarity and order, emphasizing rhythm and movement rather than drama. The painting feels observational and expansive, capturing a moment where sport, tradition, and social gathering come together in the open air.