Which Element Describes Ottoman Art?

There is no one single element that can be used to describe Ottoman art. Instead, Ottoman art includes several elements or characteristics which result in the unique appearance of this highly-regarded form of arts and crafts.

The art of the Ottoman Empire was defined by a number of components or elements, causing the Ottoman Empire to be known for creating art through:

• Calligraphy
• Marbling
• Ceramics
• Embroidery
• Gravures
• Miniatures
• Rugs and carpets

The empire, however, was most well known for the use of art components in the making of their mosques. To convey special meanings, the Ottomans used every component of art in the building of these architectural masterpieces and the decor which was included in the mosques. The art components which were used included:

• Use of lines - Highly stylized and very ornate lines in calligraphy conveyed beauty, turning religious documents such as the Koran and everyday documents such as deeds and reports into works of art.
• Color - Colors used in embroidery and rug/carpet weaving were used to convey a great deal of meaning according to the culture of the Islamic religion.
• Shape - The mineral meerschaum is found only in Turkey and is used as the base for very detailed, hand-carved smoking pipes.
• Size - Miniature pieces of artwork were created using detailed elements and design. These designed were frequently used for the marbling of paper.
• Texture - The Ottomans became famous for their salt-dye techniques which are used even today to produce silk.
• Composition - Religious hangings and prayer rugs are found with combinations of extensive floral and geometric patterns combined with silver and gold.
• Space - Inlays of mother of pearl in wood carvings formed a "hanging lace" effect which was enhanced with gilt or engravings.

The complexity of these pieces of art were also important in the conveyance of meaning throughout the region. These components of art still speak to art enthusiasts today to help us to understand the meaning of art for the Ottoman Empire.

Who Were the Ottomans

The Ottomans were a Turkish tribe of nomads who were pushed from their homes by force and eventually settled themselves in the eastern domain of the Byzantine Empire in Anatolia.

The tribe was named after Osman, the first one in control of the Ottoman Empire who fought to secure his lands and eventually moved the Empire's capital into the kingdom of the Byzantine Empire in Asia Minor in 1326. These pilgrims did away with their own old religion and adopted the customs, art, and culture of Islam. The Ottoman Empire existed until 1923 when the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed.

Understanding the Elements of Art

Art is a form of individual expression. Artists use the elements of art in order to convey meaning and create an emotion for the person seeing their work.

According to the website for The Getty, the elements of art are defined as

“… components or parts of a work of art that can be isolated and defined”

Essentially the components of art are like the foundation of a house. They provide the concrete surface for the stability of the entire whole so that the artist can convey the intended message he or she is meaning to. There are many components of art. These components include the use of:

• Composition: The way the components in a work of art are arranged
• Line: Lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, straight, or curved and are used to define a point in space
• Texture: The surface of a work of art, one that we can only see by touching
• Space: In a work of art, space is what makes the piece seem one dimensional or three dimensional
• Color: Effective at relaying the tone of the piece such as happiness or sadness, also used to create lighting and shade
• Shape and Form: Shapes are two dimensional figures defined by lines that have both height and width. Forms are similar to shapes, however, they are three dimensional and defined by height, width, and depth within a piece of art.

Each of these elements can be found in Ottoman art and can be used to describe Ottoman art and its components.