Osman Hamdi Bey (1842 - 1910) Click for Artist Information

Osman Hamdi Bey

Osman Hamdi Bey (1842-1910)

Archaeologist and painter Osman Hamdi Bey, born in Istanbul in 1842, is the founder of Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Âlisi (Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University) and Istanbul Archeology Museums. Osman Hamdi Bey, who went to Paris to study law in 1860, attended the Paris School of Fine Arts due to his passion for painting and took lessons from the famous painters of the period, Jean-Léon Gérôme and Gustave Boulanger. In the same years, he worked with Süleyman Seyyid and Ahmed Ali (Şeker) Pasha, who were sent to Paris for education, in the preparations of the Ottoman Pavilion at the 2nd International World Exhibition opened in 1867, and their works were exhibited.

Returning to Istanbul in 1871, the artist was appointed to the palace regarding the protocol affairs of foreign ambassadors. Due to his achievements, he was appointed by Sultan Abdülaziz for the International Exhibition opened in Vienna in 1873. Osman Hamdi Bey, who worked in various government positions, carried out excavations in the Nemrut Mountain tumulus and the Hekate Temple in Lagina. The most important archaeological excavation is the excavation of the royal tomb from Sayda (Sidon, Lebanon). Osman Hamdi Bey, who became known abroad with his work in the field of archaeology; He was rewarded with medals and decorations by the French, German, Greek and Spanish circles. Osman Hamdi Bey, who carried out archeology and painting studies together, was appointed director of Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi in 1882.

In line with the responsibility of the cultural environment he was in and the duties he was carrying out, he painted paintings inspired by the enlightenment tradition appropriate to the period. Women in their daily pursuits; He showed it in various environments and situations, such as reading, chatting, making music, and navigating public spaces. His paintings such as Turtle Trainer, Arzuhalci, Hodja Reading the Quran, Arms Dealer, Girl Collecting Lilacs, Women in the Courtyard of Şehzadebaşı Mosque, Women in Abaya, Woman with Mimosa, Ab-ı Hayat Fountain and Mihrap are among his most important works. The artist, who was the most distinguished figure of the last era and had an international reputation, passed away in Istanbul on February 24, 1910.