Aloysius Rosarius Amadeus Raymundus Andreas Preziosi (Father: Count Giovanni Francesco Preziosi; Mother: Margareta Reynaud; Spouse: a Greek woman from Istanbul with whom he had four children) (1816–1882) was a Maltese nobleman and painter who became one of the most celebrated Orientalist artists of the 19th century, renowned for his vibrant watercolor and lithographic depictions of the Ottoman Empire and the Balkans.

Born into an aristocratic family in Malta, Preziosi was initially pressured by his father to pursue a career in law. He was sent to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, but his overriding passion for art led him to abandon his legal studies and enroll at the École des Beaux-Arts.

In 1842, Preziosi traveled to Istanbul (then Constantinople) and was instantly captivated by the bustling, cosmopolitan energy of the city. Defying his family’s wishes, he decided to settle there permanently. He immersed himself in the local culture, eventually marrying a local Greek woman. Preziosi quickly made a name for himself by painting everyday scenes—bazaars, coffee houses, street vendors, and the diverse ethnic groups of the Ottoman capital. His meticulous yet lively watercolors became highly sought after by European tourists, diplomats, and the local elite as sophisticated souvenirs.

To supplement his artistic income and utilizing his linguistic skills, he served as a deputy dragoman (interpreter) for the British Embassy. In 1858, his fame spread across Europe when he published Stamboul: Recollections of Eastern Life, a widely successful album of lithographs printed in Paris. He followed this with another album, Souvenir du Caïre, based on his travels to Egypt. He also made significant contributions to Romanian art history after Prince Carol I invited him to Bucharest in 1868, where he documented the city and its surrounding landscapes.

Preziosi’s life ended tragically in 1882 when he accidentally discharged his gun while on a hunting trip near his home in Yeşilköy, Istanbul. Today, he is remembered as one of the most vital visual chroniclers of 19th-century life in the East.

Active in others filds : Translation and Diplomacy (Deputy Dragoman for the British Embassy in Istanbul).