Arts of the golden age of the Ottoman Empire
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: VB708
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
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.
There will be one offsite museum session to see important collections of Ottoman art.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
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, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
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, not printed out for you.
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?
You might also be interested in:
• VB700 - Islamic art in medieval North and West Africa
• VB438 - Arts of the empire-builders: Timurids, Safavids and Mughals
• VB429 - Asian art: cultural synergies in the Indian subcontinent.
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.
