The career of Italian painter Alberto Pasini was very short, though, as his art was largely unappreciated by the general public. 

Pasini began to paint landscapes of the Mediterranean Sea, and soon traveled to the Middle East. While living in Paris, he created paintings of this region as a result of his travels. His first visit to the Middle East occurred in 1855, and his journey took him through Egypt, the Red Sea, and Arabia. He also visited the city of Istanbul, and returned to Europe a few years later. His work at the time became increasingly exotic and eclectic, and his popularity soared.