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Ottoman Art

1299–1922: the complete guide to Ottoman illumination, miniature, calligraphy and the decorative arts — masters, periods and works.

At a glance

Six centuries (1299–1922), three continents, one court workshop — the Nakkaşhane — whose painters, illuminators, calligraphers and designers created one of the world’s great artistic traditions.

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, fol.8b — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.6b — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.7a — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.7b — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.8a — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Northwestern Europe and the British Isles, Walters Manuscript W.660, fol. 5a — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Northwestern Europe and the British…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.1b — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660,…Illuminated Manuscript, Maritime atlas, Walters Art Museum Ms. W.660, fol.2a — Walters Art Museum Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated 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 Turkey — Crispijn van de Passe IMehmed II, Sultan of TurkeyMehmed II Riding [reverse] — Costanzo da FerraraMehmed II Riding [reverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse] — Gentile BelliniMehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse] — Bertoldo di GiovanniMehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse] — Costanzo da FerraraMehmed II, 1430-1481, Sultan of the Turks 1451 [obverse]Mehmed II, Sultan of Turkey — Crispijn van de Passe IMehmed II, Sultan of TurkeyBeschreibung des Mittelmmeeres und seiner Küstenländer des Piri Reis, von a-Fagir Mehmd Reis Inseln im Mittelmeer mit Städten und Festungen — Richter, Regine (Herstellung) (Fotograf)Beschreibung des Mittelmmeeres und seiner Küstenländer des Piri Reis,…Mangalia - Geamia — Dumitru Florin Dumitru (fotograf)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 Magnificent — Italian 16th CenturySuleyman the MagnificentParti af Süleymaniye Moskeen — Rørbye, MartinusParti af Süleymaniye MoskeenThe Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast. Left half — Lorck, MelchiorThe Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast.…The Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast. Right half — Lorck, MelchiorThe Süleymaniye mosque, as seen from from the northeast.…Exlibris Suleyman Kayca Polat — Polat, Suleyman KaycaExlibris Suleyman Kayca PolatExlibris Suleyman Kayca Polat — Polat, Suleyman KaycaExlibris Suleyman Kayca PolatExlibris Suleyman Saim Tekcan — Gursel, OzgeExlibris Suleyman Saim TekcanGundelia tournefortii L. — Anonymous, TurkeyGundelia 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) — public domain / Wikimedia CommonsDivan of Sultan Süleyman (Muhibbi)Süleymanname Illuminations — public domain / Wikimedia CommonsSüleymanname Illuminations
Tulip and Sunflower Chest — Harold MerriamTulip and Sunflower ChestTulip Pattern Quilt — Mabel RitterTulip Pattern QuiltLean-to Writing Desk (secrétaire en pente) — Bernard Vanrisamburgh IILean-to Writing Desk (secrétaire en pente)Plate 42: Two Genets or Civet Cats with Tulips — Joris HoefnagelPlate 42: Two Genets or Civet Cats with TulipsChest of Drawers (commode) — Jean-Mathieu ChevallierChest of Drawers (commode)Work and Writing Table — Martin CarlinWork and Writing TableThe Tulips and the Sun — Jacques CallotThe Tulips and the SunQuilt - Tulip Pattern — Alice CosgroveQuilt - 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 Luqman — Qāsim al-Ḥusaynī al-`Arīdī al-QazvīnīHistory of Sultan Süleyman, by Sayyid LuqmanMurad I Rests After a Triumph (full view). Hünername (1584). TSMK H.1523 — 1584-88 artistMurad I Rests After a Triumph (full view). Hünername…Murad I — LockmanMurad IMurad II and Władysław III of Poland cropped — Various MakersMurad II and Władysław III of Poland croppedDeath of Milos Obilic — Various MakersDeath of Milos ObilicMurad II. Hünername, folio 143b. TSMK Hazine 1523 (created 1584-1588) — 1584-1588 artistMurad II. Hünername, folio 143b. TSMK Hazine 1523 (created…Hunername 257b — Nakkas OsmanHunername 257bOrhan — LockmanOrhan
My grandfather's ring — Anonymous, IstanbulMy grandfather's ringBronzový desátkový hadí sloup který byl zhotoven z desátků a obětován do Delf jako dík za vítězství — Unknown authorUnknown authorBronzový desátkový hadí sloup který byl zhotoven z desátků…Surname 11a — LevniSurname 11aSurname 51b — LevniSurname 51bSurname 57b-58 — LevniSurname 57b-58Surname-ı Hümayun Dragon — Abdulcelil LevniSurname-ı Hümayun DragonSurname-ı Hümayun fireworks — Abdulcelil LevniSurname-ı Hümayun fireworksSurname-ı Hümayun parade — Abdulcelil LevniSurname-ı Hümayun parade

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 del. — Grosch, HeinrichNuværende levninger af Niels Ebbesens borg Nørreriis. E Storch…Levni 002 — LevniLevni 002Levni 16 Young Woman, Sleeping Beauty — LevniLevni 16 Young Woman, Sleeping BeautyMurad IV minature — Unknown authorUnknown authorMurad IV minaturePosthumous portrait of sultan Mustafa IIlabel QS:Lfr,"Portrait posthume du sultan Mustafa II"label QS:Len,"Posthumous portrait of sultan Mustafa II" — LevniPosthumous portrait of sultan Mustafa IIlabel QS:Lfr,"Portrait posthume du…Palace woman — LevniPalace womanLevni mehter — LevniLevni mehterOsman-iii — Abdulcelil LevniOsman-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, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947 egira) 03 — Various MakersPeriodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Periodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526 (933 egira) 01 — Various MakersPeriodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526…Periodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526 (933 egira) 02 — Various MakersPeriodo ottomano, ahmed karahisari calligrafo, manoscritto del corano, 1526…Periodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947 egira) 01 — Various MakersPeriodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Periodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947 egira) 02 — Various MakersPeriodo ottomano, sura el-an'am, calligrafo ahmed karahisari, 1540-41 (947…Folio from a Qur’an, sura 87,1-19; sura 88,1-26; sura 89,1-7 and part of 8 (S1986.78) — Unknown artistUnknown artistFolio from a Qur’an, sura 87,1-19; sura 88,1-26; sura…Qur'an copied by Hüseyin en-Nazif — Hüseyin en-NazifQur'an copied by Hüseyin en-NazifKhalili Collection Islamic Art qur 0034 fol 1b-2a — Khalili CollectionsKhalili Collection Islamic Art qur 0034 fol 1b-2a
Broderie turcească [corect Broderie] — Anonymous, calligraphyBroderie turcească [corect Broderie]Platzdeckchen mit Tughra-Zeichen — Anonymous, IstanbulPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-Zeichen — Anonymous, IstanbulPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-Zeichen — Anonymous, IstanbulPlatzdeckchen mit Tughra-ZeichenMünze, 2 Kuruş, 1255 (Hijri) — Anonymous, IstanbulMünze, 2 Kuruş, 1255 (Hijri)Münze, Para, 1223/? (Hijri) — Anonymous, IstanbulMünze, Para, 1223/? (Hijri)Münze, 10 Para, 1255 (Hijri) — Anonymous, IstanbulMünze, 10 Para, 1255 (Hijri)Pferde-Steigbügel — Anonymous, IstanbulPferde-Steigbügel

8. İznik, textiles and the decorative arts

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

Wasserflasche der Gattung »Blau-Weiß-Keramik«; Fragment — Anonymous, IznikWasserflasche der Gattung »Blau-Weiß-Keramik«; FragmentSpanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen Hof — Anonymous, IznikSpanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen HofFragment, Sherd, Pottery, Keramik, Fustatskärva, Skärva — Anonymous, IznikFragment, Sherd, Pottery, Keramik, Fustatskärva, SkärvaTallrik, Fat, Husgeråd, Plate — Anonymous, IznikTallrik, Fat, Husgeråd, PlateFragment@eng, Sherd@eng, Pottery@eng, Keramik, Fragment, Skärva — Anonymous, IznikFragment@eng, Sherd@eng, Pottery@eng, Keramik, Fragment, SkärvaTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Seidenbrokat mit Blumenmuster — Anonymous, IznikSeidenbrokat mit Blumenmuster
Young man in Ottoman dress (recto), and prince in a garden pavilion (verso), folio from an Ottoman album — UnknownYoung man in Ottoman dress (recto), and prince in…Horseriders and young men in Ottoman dress (recto), and Persian calligraphy (verso), folio from an Ottoman album — UnknownHorseriders and young men in Ottoman dress (recto), and…Ottoman Kaftan of SüleymanOttoman Kaftan of SüleymanLampas with floral medallions in ogival lattice — Turkey, Istanbul or BursaLampas with floral medallions in ogival lattice
Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Seidenbrokat mit Blumenmuster — Anonymous, IznikSeidenbrokat mit BlumenmusterTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Teil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware« — Anonymous, IznikTeil einer Fliesenbordüre der Gattung »Iznik-Ware«Sherd. Base. — Anonymous, IznikSherd. Base.Spanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen Hof — Anonymous, IznikSpanisches Damastgewebe für den osmanischen HofWasserflasche der Gattung »Blau-Weiß-Keramik«; Fragment — Anonymous, IznikWasserflasche der Gattung »Blau-Weiß-Keramik«; Fragment

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? ... — Honoré DaumierQué qu'vous êtes ... devenu, m'sieu Lebrun? ...Carte photographique de la lune, planche VII (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate VII) — Charles Le MorvanCarte photographique de la lune, planche VII (Photographic Chart…Scène de Marché au Port de l'Hôtel de Ville, Paris (Market Scene at the Port of the Hôtel de Ville, Paris) — Charles NègreScène de Marché au Port de l'Hôtel de Ville,…La mère dans le feu de la composition, l'enfant est dans l'eau de la baignoire! — Honoré DaumierLa mère dans le feu de la composition, l'enfant…Carte photographique de la lune, planche XIX (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate XIX) — Charles Le MorvanCarte photographique de la lune, planche XIX (Photographic Chart…The Visitor (Le visiteur) — Anonymous ArtistThe Visitor (Le visiteur)January and February — Paul BrilJanuary and FebruaryMadura: The Vygay River, with Causeway, across to Madura — Linnaeus TripeMadura: 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.

Sultan Gazi Yıldırım Bayezid Han - السلطان الغازي يلدرم بايزيد خان — Original: Belli değil Original Uploder was Osmanlı98Sultan Gazi Yıldırım Bayezid Han - السلطان الغازي يلدرم…Sultan Gazi Çelebi Mohammed Han - السلطان الغازي چلبي محمد خان — Original: Belli değil Original Uploder was Osmanlı98Sultan Gazi Çelebi Mohammed Han - السلطان الغازي چلبي…Sultan Gazi ʻUthmān Han I - السُلطان الغازي عُثمان خان الأوَّل — Original: Bilinmiyor Derivative: باسمSultan Gazi ʻUthmān Han I - السُلطان الغازي عُثمان…Yavuz Sultan Gazi Selim Han - السلطان الغازي ياووز سليم خان — Konstantin Kapıdağlı (Κωνσταντίνος Κυζικηνός)Yavuz Sultan Gazi Selim Han - السلطان الغازي ياووز…Sultan Selim III in Audience. — Konstantin KapıdağlıSultan Selim III in Audience.Sultan Selim III in Audience. — Konstantin KapıdağlıSultan Selim III in Audience.Orhan Gazi - Manyal Palace Museum — Painting: Unknown artist Photograph: BomBomOrhan Gazi - Manyal Palace MuseumSultan Gazi Bayezid Han II - السلطان الغازي بايزيد خان الثاني — Original: Belli değil Original Uploder was Osmanlı98Sultan Gazi Bayezid Han II - السلطان الغازي بايزيد…

The Masters

Matrakçı Nasuh

1480–1564 · Miniature Painting

Nakkaş Osman

fl. 1560–1595 · Miniature Painting

Levnî (Abdülcelil Çelebi)

d. 1732 · Miniature Painting

Kara Memi

fl. 1545–1566 · Illumination (Tezhip)

Şeyh Hamdullah

1436–1520 · Calligraphy (Hat)

Mustafa Râkım

1758–1826 · Calligraphy (Hat)

Hafız Osman

1642–1698 · Calligraphy (Hat)

Hoca Ali Rıza

1858–1930 · Orientalist Paintings

Osman Hamdi Bey

1842–1910 · Orientalist Paintings

Şeker Ahmed Paşa

1841–1907 · Orientalist Paintings

Rikkat Kunt

1903–1986 · Illumination (Tezhip)

Şahkulu

d. 1556 · Illumination (Tezhip)

Ahmed Karahisarî

1468–1556 · Calligraphy (Hat)

Kazasker Mustafa İzzet Efendi

1801–1876 · Calligraphy (Hat)

Hatip Mehmed Efendi

d. 1773 · Ottoman Art

Necmeddin Okyay

1883–1976 · Ottoman Art

Süheyl Ünver

1898–1986 · Illumination (Tezhip)

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