PORTRAIT OF A SCANDALOUS FAMILY is based on the true story of the Şakir Paşa family, an Ottoman dynasty shattered by scandal only to give rise to some of the 20th century’s greatest artists. In 1911, Şakir Paşa was a retired Ottoman commander and history writer living on Büyükada, when his eldest son Cevat returned from Oxford with an Italian wife. They all lived together in the family villa, where the bohemian Cevat was increasingly at odds with his military father, who disapproved of Cevat’s wife and lifestyle. But Cevat’s wife became infatuated with the older man, and he was unable to resist. So began a chain of events that tore the Şakir Paşa family apart – which is just the beginning of their remarkable story.
In the decades to follow, Cevat Şakir became “The Fisherman of Halicarnassus,” one of Turkey’s most beloved writers. Meanwhile, his glamourous sisters developed into thoroughly modern women and fixtures of Istanbul’s art scene. Fahrunnisa became an internationally renowned painter and went on to marry a prince and Aliye was wildly famous as Turkey’s first female engraver, but a tragic love affair brought them a life of misery. Later generations brought many more important artists whose work is known throughout the world. The Şakır Paşa family has left an indelible mark on Turkish art history, and their remarkable story is PORTRAIT OF A SCANDALOUS FAMILY.
