Ottoman Art

1. Beginnings: Bursa and Edirne (1299–1453)

The early Ottoman courts absorbed Seljuq, Byzantine and Timurid traditions. Manuscripts from the reign of Murad II and Mehmed II show Persianate illumination adapted to a new imperial taste.

Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Northwestern Europe and the British…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…

2. The Conqueror and the Italian encounter (1453–1481)

Mehmed II invited Gentile Bellini and gathered Italian, Persian and Ottoman artists. Sinan Bey and Siblizade Ahmed painted the first Ottoman portraits.

Mehmed II, Sultan of TurkeyMehmed II Riding [reverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, Sultan of TurkeyBeschreibung des Mittelmmeeres und seiner Küstenländer des Piri Reis,…Mangalia - Geamia

3. The Classical Age of Süleyman (1520–1566)

Under Şahkulu and Kara Memi the palace atelier created the saz style and the naturalistic floral style; Matrakçı Nasuh painted cities; Ahmed Karahisarî wrote monumental thuluth. Designs passed from paper to İznik tiles, kaftans and carpets.

Suleyman the MagnificentParti af Süleymaniye MoskeenThe Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast.…The Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast.…Exlibris Suleyman Kayca PolatExlibris Suleyman Kayca PolatExlibris Suleyman Saim TekcanGundelia tournefortii L.

4. Kara Memi and the Ottoman floral style

Tulips, carnations, hyacinths and roses in gold — the visual signature of the Ottoman Empire.

Divan of Sultan Süleyman (Muhibbi)Süleymanname Illuminations

Tulip and Sunflower ChestTulip Pattern QuiltLean-to Writing Desk (secrétaire en pente)Plate 42: Two Genets or Civet Cats with TulipsChest of Drawers (commode)Work and Writing TableThe Tulips and the SunQuilt - Tulip Pattern

5. The historical miniature: Nakkaş Osman (1560–1600)

Illustrated chronicles — Şehname-i Selim Han, Hünername, Surname-i Hümayun — record battles, festivals and court ceremony with documentary clarity.

History of Sultan Süleyman, by Sayyid LuqmanKansu Gavri ÖlüYavuz Sultan Selim'e Kansu-Gavri'nin kesik basinin getirilmesi (cropped)Khan Mengly-Gerai after the Sultan’s audienceYavuz Sultan Selim'e Kansu-Gavri'nin kesik basinin getirilmesiMap of Istanbul, Hunername-IБаязид I, КосовоMengli bayezid

My grandfather's ringBronzový desátkový hadí sloup který byl zhotoven z desátků…Surname 11aSurname 51bSurname 57b-58Surname-ı Hümayun acrobacySurname-ı Hümayun celebrationsSurname-ı Hümayun Dragon

6. The Tulip Era: Levnî (1703–1730)

Ahmed III’s reign brought gardens, festivals and the graceful single figures of Levnî.

Nuværende levninger af Niels Ebbesens borg Nørreriis. E Storch…Levni 002Levni 16 Young Woman, Sleeping BeautyMurad IV minaturePosthumous portrait of sultan Mustafa IIlabel QS:Lfr,"Portrait posthume du…Palace womanLevni mehterOsman-iii

7. Calligraphy: from Şeyh Hamdullah to Hagia Sophia

Five centuries of hat: naskh and thuluth, hilye, tughra and the giant levhas of Kazasker Mustafa İzzet.

Periodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526…Periodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526…Periodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Periodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Periodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Left Side of a Double-page Composition Featuring the Mosque…Comment on the Lights of RevelationsThe Guide to Benevolent Deeds and Rising Lights in…

Broderie turcească [corect Broderie]Platzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenMünze, Para, 1223/? (Hijri)Münze, 10 Para, 1255 (Hijri)Münze, 2 Kuruş, 1255 (Hijri)Pferde-Steigbügel

8. İznik, textiles and the decorative arts

Fritware tiles and vessels, silk kaftans, Uşak carpets, tombak and jewelled objects.

Seidenbrokat mit BlumenmusterTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Sherd. Base.Spanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen HofWasserflasche der Gattung »Blau-Weiß-Keramik«; FragmentSpanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen HofFragment, Sherd, Pottery, Keramik, Fustatskärva, Skärva

Young man in Ottoman dress (recto), and prince in…Horseriders and young men in Ottoman dress (recto), and…Ottoman Kaftan of SüleymanLampas with floral medallions in ogival lattice

Fragment, Sherd, Pottery, Keramik, Fustatskärva, SkärvaTallrik, Fat, Husgeråd, PlateFragment@eng, Sherd@eng, Pottery@eng, Keramik, Fragment, SkärvaTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Seidenbrokat mit BlumenmusterTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«

9. Ebru — the art of marbling

From Şebek Mehmed and Hatip Mehmed to Necmeddin Okyay’s floral ebru.

Qué qu'vous êtes ... devenu, m'sieu Lebrun? ...Carte photographique de la lune, planche VII (Photographic Chart…Scène de Marché au Port de l'Hôtel de Ville,…La mère dans le feu de la composition, l'enfant…Carte photographique de la lune, planche XIX (Photographic Chart…The Visitor (Le visiteur)January and FebruaryMadura: The Vygay River, with Causeway, across to Madura

10. The 19th century and the birth of Turkish painting

Osman Hamdi Bey, Şeker Ahmed Paşa and Hoca Ali Rıza open a new chapter; European painters such as Vanmour and Zonaro record the Ottoman world.

Orhan Gazi - Manyal Palace MuseumSultan Gazi Bayezid Han II - السلطان الغازي بايزيد…Sultan Gazi Murad Han Hüdavendigâr -السُلطان الغازي مراد خان…Sultan Gazi Murad Han II - السلطان الغازي مراد…Sultan Gazi Orḫan Han - السُلطان الغازي أورخان خانSultan Gazi Yıldırım Bayezid Han - السلطان الغازي يلدرم…Sultan Gazi Çelebi Mohammed Han - السلطان الغازي چلبي…Sultan Gazi ʻUthmān Han I - السُلطان الغازي عُثمان…

The Masters

Explore further

All Ottoman Art Illumination Miniature Calligraphy Islamic Art