This artwork portrays an imagined scene from an imaret, the charitable public kitchen that formed one of the most important social welfare institutions of the Islamic world. The image reflects the orderly calm of these kitchens, where food was prepared daily for travellers, the poor, students and anyone in need. While not tied to a specific recorded event, the scene captures the spirit of generosity and organisation that defined the imarets built across cities from Damascus and Cairo to Bursa and Istanbul. The presence of attendants and simple vessels evokes an atmosphere of dignity, reminding the viewer that charity in these societies was structured, regular and free from humiliation.
Historically, the imaret was a cornerstone of Islamic public welfare. Funded by waqf endowments, these kitchens provided free meals every day, sometimes feeding thousands. They operated as part of larger complexes that included mosques, schools, hospitals, caravanserais and bathhouses. Meals were often nutritious stews of grain, meat and vegetables, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society received adequate sustenance. The Ottomans perfected this system, but its roots go back earlier, to the charitable kitchens attached to mosques and ribats in the Abbasid, Mamluk and Seljuk periods. These institutions reflected the Islamic ethos that the wellbeing of the community was a shared responsibility, and that food security was an obligation, not an optional act of kindness.
The imaret also stood in sharp contrast to conditions in much of contemporary Europe. In many European cities, poor relief was inconsistent, punitive or entirely absent. Famine and malnutrition were common, and public charity was rare outside monastic settings. Travelers to the Islamic world frequently remarked on the generosity, organisation and scale of charitable provision, noting that strangers could cross entire regions without fearing hunger. The imarets represented a system in which philanthropy was institutionalised and where rulers, merchants, scholars and ordinary believers contributed to the upkeep of public welfare.
Displayed in a modern home, this artwork serves as a reminder of a civilisation that treated compassion as a form of infrastructure. The imaret was not merely a kitchen but a statement of values. It showed that the strength of a society lies in its commitment to feed, protect and uplift its people. The piece invites reflection on the long tradition of organised charity in the Islamic world and the ways in which generosity, when institutionalised, becomes a source of dignity for both giver and receiver.
Every artwork in the Riwayah collection is available in four premium display formats, crafted to suit every home and interior style. Our canvas prints offer a rich, textured finish that brings depth and character to each piece, stretched on FSC-certified wooden bars for a refined gallery feel. For a minimalist and versatile look, our magnetic hangers use durable pine wood to hold your print securely without marking it, making it easy to change artwork whenever you like. Those seeking a classic, museum-style presentation can choose our premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash with visible natural grain and protected with shatterproof plexiglass. And for a sleek, contemporary finish, our aluminium frames pair clean black metal with heavyweight matte paper for a polished, modern aesthetic. All prints use FSC-certified paper and high-quality inks, arrive ready to hang or assemble, and are produced on demand in the UK to reduce waste and ensure the highest standard of craftsmanship.
