Page 18 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

Introduction

he age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent was not only representation of nature, depicting fantastic or realistic flora
Tthe zenith of Ottoman political and economic expansion, in perpetual growth. This theme, executed in styles that re-
but also an era when the strong demands of imperial patron- flected a mystical approach as well as a more naturalistic one,
age were met by a highly energetic and innovative response, is easily comprehensible and appreciable by all peoples at all
bursting into an unprecedented explosion in the arts. During times, transcending time and place. Rendered in an impecca-
Süleyman's long and dynamic reign the court studios em- ble technique with virtuosic use of form, color, and design on
ployed hundreds of artists with diverse backgrounds and tra- diverse materials, this intrinsic quality was largely responsible
ditions who synthesized the existing modes, formulated new for the far-flung and long-lasting impact of Ottoman art, both
forms, themes, and techniques, and helped to create an indig- at home and abroad. It highlights the essence of nature—its
enous artistic expression that reflected the cultural vitality of beauty and perpetuity—and presents it in a most delightful
the empire. The evolution of this artistic expression and the manner, totally devoid of dogmatic or didactic implications.
establishment of the classical Ottoman style owed much to The universal message of Ottoman art reflects its ecumenical
the personal involvement and support of the sultan, whose culture, which endured the changes of time, its potency and
high sense of aesthetics and refined connoisseurship left a dis- aesthetic appeal as valid today as the day it was initiated.
tinguished mark on Turkish art and architecture. The vast and powerful empire inherited by Suleyman pro-
Patronage has always been the essential ingredient of cul- vided the proper setting for the cultural explosion that took
tural development and Suleyman was a most magnanimous place. His dynamism in political and judicial spheres was
patron, scrutinizing the works of his artists and generously matched by the exuberant creativity of the artists of his court.
rewarding them for outstanding performances. His persistent
interest provided the artists with tremendous stimulation,
compelling them to excel beyond expectation and to produce Historical Setting
splendid works of art that glorified their benefactor. The
highly centralized administrative structure of the state was The Turks began moving westward from their original home-
also applied to artistic production, which was undertaken by land in central Asia after the second half of the eighth cen-
societies created to respond to the specific needs of the pal- tury and established independent states in Afghanistan, east-
ace. The most influential of these societies was the nakka§- ern Iran, and northern India. The most significant migration
hane (imperial painting studio), which formulated the decora- occurred in the eleventh century when the Seljuks arrived in
tive themes and designs that were first employed on the central Islamic lands, dominated Iran, Iraq, and Syria,
manuscripts and then transmitted to various court arts, from and expanded into Anatolia. The Seljuk rule in Anatolia sur-
architectural decoration and furnishings to metalwork, tex- vived until the turn of the fourteenth century, at which time
tiles, and ceramics. The nakka§hane was the creative brain of it disintegrated and the region became divided among a num-
the Ottoman court style, which spread to all parts of the em- ber of Turkish emirates.
pire, from the central Islamic lands and northern Africa to the The northwestern corner of Anatolia was claimed by Os-
Balkans, and had a profound influence on its neighboring man (12997-1324?), the leader of one of the emirates who
cultures. founded the Osmanh, or Ottoman, dynasty in which the rule
The most conspicuous feature of Ottoman art is the joyful passed from father to son or to the eldest male in the family
until 1922, at which date the sultanate was abolished and a
Detail, 42a year later replaced by the Republic of Turkey. During the

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