Istanbul, a city that combines history and modernity, is home to a constantly growing art scene.

Although often overlooked, the city boasts an impressive museum, Istanbul Modern, which reopened its doors in 2023 in the Karaköy district, facing the sea. This museum offers an excellent introduction to some of Turkey's most important artists through a wide permanent collection and several large-scale temporary exhibitions each year.

If you are not familiar with Turkish art, there are some works in particular that you should keep an eye on.

Among the outstanding works is 'My Hell' by Fahrelnissa Zeid, an explosion of geometric abstraction.

Zeid, a Muslim princess who was among the first women to attend an art school in Istanbul, was an important avant-gardist in the 1940s. Her work was exhibited in 1954 at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, in what was her first solo female exhibition.

Another outstanding piece is Azade Köker's 'Landscape of Silence', which, despite its large size, shows a forest of human skulls, an artist's meditation on a world without us.

Also included is 'Gérôme, This is my Bath' by Bedri Beykam, a dual adaptation of Ingres' 'Turkish Bath' and Gérôme's 'Grand Bath at Bursa', which imparts a captivating critique of Orientalism.

Despite its artistic value, the inclusion of certain works in the museum has been a cause for surprise due to accusations of politically motivated censorship directed against Istanbul Modern in recent years.

The political situation in Turkey, with increasing authoritarianism, has raised concerns about artistic freedom.

In addition to Istanbul Modern, the city offers a wide variety of galleries and art spaces.

The Taksim Square area is known for its shops and restaurants, but it also houses art spaces such as Meşher and Salt Beyoğlu, which offer exhibitions of various formats. Nearby, Galeri Nev Istanbul presents a selection of works in a single room.

In the residential district of Dolapdere is Arter, which was the largest contemporary art museum in the city until the reopening of Istanbul Modern.

In the Asian part of the city, near the Moda neighborhood, is the Gazhane Museum, a former gasworks building converted into a community center that houses galleries, cafes and other creative spaces.

To enjoy Istanbul's art scene, it is important to consider where to stay.

The Ritz-Carlton offers easy access to the Taksim galleries and Istanbul Modern.