Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Founded at the end of the 13th century, the Ottoman dynasty rapidly amassed an Empire that linked the East and the West, and lasted for over 600 years.
The focus of the arts of the Ottoman Empire - the visual and cultural expression of Imperial power - was centred at the residence of the Sultans, the Topkapi Sarayi palace complex in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). Here at the Imperial workshops artists collected from conquered cities in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and the Balkans. The masters trained new artists, and a distinctive visual language was created, that was dispersed out to the numerous workshops and production centres in Turkey and beyond. In addition, artists of the Italian Renaissance were brought to the court to contribute new ideas and techniques.
In this course we will examine how this distinctive fusion style developed during the 15th – 17th centuries, looking at the work of important architects, calligraphers, designers and painters, and the Imperial vision of key royal patrons during this vibrant period of expansion and assimilation.
What will we cover?
• Historical context and key royal patrons. • The assimilation of art and artists from conquered regions • The structure of the royal workshops and important artists and designers who served in them. • Architecture, the Book Arts, Ceramics, Textiles and other Decorative Arts.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Name two key royal Ottoman patrons. • Name four important artists, architects or designers who helped shape the Ottoman vision. • Describe the technical background of any one Ottoman craft tradition that has sustained until the present day.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information as well as basic functions of Zoom, specifically microphone and camera.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download. These materials will be available online/digitally for download via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join this Google Classroom within a week of the start of your course.
Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Arts of the empire-builders: Timurids, Safavids and Mughals The art of Byzantium
Anita Chowdry is a London based visual artist, educator and researcher. Her particular interest is in the arts of the Islamic World and South Asia, and the materials and processes that went into them. She has an M.A. in Art and Science from Central Saint Martin’s UAL, and is currently engaged in the codicological study of a group of 15th Century Turcoman manuscripts at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Anita has over 30 years’ experience teaching art and process to adults and professional groups, covering major institutions in the UK and abroad.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/arts-of-the-golden-age-of-the-ottoman-empire175330Arts of the golden age of the Ottoman Empirehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb708.jpeg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/vm/World culture/Courses/Online courses228511361177188913408173112285117711361653Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire. Founded at the end of the 13th century, the Ottoman dynasty rapidly amassed an Empire that linked the East and the West, and lasted for over 600 years. <br />
The focus of the arts of the Ottoman Empire - the visual and cultural expression of Imperial power - was centred at the residence of the Sultans, the Topkapi Sarayi palace complex in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).<br />
Here at the Imperial workshops artists collected from conquered cities in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and the Balkans. The masters trained new artists, and a distinctive visual language was created, that was dispersed out to the numerous workshops and production centres in Turkey and beyond. In addition, artists of the Italian Renaissance were brought to the court to contribute new ideas and techniques.<br />
<br />
In this course we will examine how this distinctive fusion style developed during the 15th – 17th centuries, looking at the work of important architects, calligraphers, designers and painters, and the Imperial vision of key royal patrons during this vibrant period of expansion and assimilation. <br />
<br />
There will be one offsite museum session to see important collections of Ottoman art.002621136Arts of the golden age of the Ottoman Empire149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb708_6.jpegInStockDaytimeThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-02-26T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB708149149Arts of the golden age of the Ottoman Empire11997149Anita Chowdryarts-of-the-golden-age-of-the-ottoman-empire/vb708-2526Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire.0010-StartedAvailable|2026-02-26 00:00:00Founded at the end of the 13th century, the Ottoman dynasty rapidly amassed an Empire that linked the East and the West, and lasted for over 600 years. <br/><br/>The focus of the arts of the Ottoman Empire - the visual and cultural expression of Imperial power - was centred at the residence of the Sultans, the Topkapi Sarayi palace complex in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).<br/> Here at the Imperial workshops artists collected from conquered cities in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and the Balkans. The masters trained new artists, and a distinctive visual language was created, that was dispersed out to the numerous workshops and production centres in Turkey and beyond. In addition, artists of the Italian Renaissance were brought to the court to contribute new ideas and techniques.<br/><br/>In this course we will examine how this distinctive fusion style developed during the 15th – 17th centuries, looking at the work of important architects, calligraphers, designers and painters, and the Imperial vision of key royal patrons during this vibrant period of expansion and assimilation.Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire.• Historical context and key royal patrons.<br/> • The assimilation of art and artists from conquered regions <br/> • The structure of the royal workshops and important artists and designers who served in them.<br/> • Architecture, the Book Arts, Ceramics, Textiles and other Decorative Arts.• Name two key royal Ottoman patrons.<br/> • Name four important artists, architects or designers who helped shape the Ottoman vision.<br/> • Describe the technical background of any one Ottoman craft tradition that has sustained until the present day.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information as well as basic functions of Zoom, specifically microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download. These materials will be available online/digitally for download via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join this Google Classroom within a week of the start of your course.</p><p>Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Arts of the empire-builders: Timurids, Safavids and Mughals<br/>The art of Byzantium</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual11914997VB708NONEThu26/02/26 - 26/03/2614:00 - 16:0014:0016:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineAnita ChowdryBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-02-26T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeFeb 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Arts of the golden age of the Ottoman Empirearts-of-the-golden-age-of-the-ottoman-empire/vb708-2526Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire.0010-StartedAvailable|2026-02-26 00:00:00Founded at the end of the 13th century, the Ottoman dynasty rapidly amassed an Empire that linked the East and the West, and lasted for over 600 years. <br/><br/>The focus of the arts of the Ottoman Empire - the visual and cultural expression of Imperial power - was centred at the residence of the Sultans, the Topkapi Sarayi palace complex in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).<br/> Here at the Imperial workshops artists collected from conquered cities in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and the Balkans. The masters trained new artists, and a distinctive visual language was created, that was dispersed out to the numerous workshops and production centres in Turkey and beyond. In addition, artists of the Italian Renaissance were brought to the court to contribute new ideas and techniques.<br/><br/>In this course we will examine how this distinctive fusion style developed during the 15th – 17th centuries, looking at the work of important architects, calligraphers, designers and painters, and the Imperial vision of key royal patrons during this vibrant period of expansion and assimilation.Looking at how the vision of the Ottoman Sultans was crafted from diverse sources during a period of maximum growth, this course will focus on the architecture, arts and crafts of the early Ottoman Empire.• Historical context and key royal patrons.<br/> • The assimilation of art and artists from conquered regions <br/> • The structure of the royal workshops and important artists and designers who served in them.<br/> • Architecture, the Book Arts, Ceramics, Textiles and other Decorative Arts.• Name two key royal Ottoman patrons.<br/> • Name four important artists, architects or designers who helped shape the Ottoman vision.<br/> • Describe the technical background of any one Ottoman craft tradition that has sustained until the present day.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information as well as basic functions of Zoom, specifically microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download. These materials will be available online/digitally for download via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join this Google Classroom within a week of the start of your course.</p><p>Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Arts of the empire-builders: Timurids, Safavids and Mughals<br/>The art of Byzantium</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00