The popularity of portrait photography in the later 19th century has preserved an intimate window into the lives of the Greek community of Constantinople (Istanbul). Created as a means of recording family and social life, these early images attest to a dynamic, prosperous and robust urban community, which generally lived well within a multi-ethnic setting.

These previously unpublished photographs are made all the more poignant by the fact that, in most cases, the identity of their subjects is unknown. And yet they manifest a deep attachment to an Ottoman world in which Greeks had participated for four centuries. The exhibition Forgotten Faces focuses on the Greeks of Constantinople, from 1870 – 1920. It was launched on Tuesday night by Dr Nick Doumanis, University of New South Wales.

The exhibition Forgotten Faces runs until Saturday 12 April, at The Kudos Gallery, 6 Napier Street, Paddington. Entry is free.