Ottoman Istanbul

When Mehmet II, the 7^th Ottoman sultan, conquered Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine empire, on 29^th May 1453, he had achieved his lifetime’s ambition. He was only 21 years old. His portrait, painted in 1480 by Gentile Bellini, who was sent to Constantinople by the Venetian Doge following a request from the sultan for a ‘good painter’, is of a Renaissance man, who associated himself with Alexander the Great and took the title Kayser-i Rum, ‘emperor of the Romans’. Bellini also struck a portrait medal of Mehmed, as did Constanzo da Ferrara, probably sent to Constantinople by the King of Naples.

Under Mehmed and his successors Constantinople was transformed, and the arts and crafts flourished. In Iznik ceramics, early underglaze painted fritware imitated Chinese blue and white porcelain but during the early 16C the range of colours developed to encompass blue, turquoise, sage green, purple and black on a brilliant white ground. By the 1550s an emerald green and a vibrant red had been introduced for both ceramic vessels and tile revetments in sultanic mosques. Flower patterns with hyacinths, tulips, carnations, roses and prunus blossom characterise the Ottoman style. The same patterns were used on silks and velvets, which often incorporated thread wrapped with silver or silver gilt. Many Ottoman carpets show a central medallion, a design which originated in Iran.

The portrait and medals of Mehmed II are in the Medieval and Renaissance gallery. 

Ceramics, textiles and carpets are in the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art.

This talk will be held at the V&A. We meet first in Room 63 at 11am, Medieval & Renaissance galleries, by the portrait of Sultan Mehmet II by Bellini (on loan from NG), then we go to the Islamic gallery.