Mehmed II (March 30, 1432- May 3, 1481) is “the conqueror” in Ottoman Turkish or in modern Turkish, Fatih Sultan Mehmet. He was born in Edirne and he was sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to September 1446 but later on, from February 1451 to 1481. At the age of 21, he conquered Istanbul and bringing an end to the Byzantine Empire. In this case, was the beginning of new era, it has been end of the middle age. Accordingly, his period referred to as “Rise of the Ottoman Empire.” He was seventh sultan of Ottoman Empire and his reign has been continued 31 years. His grave also is near of the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. Important point, Fatih has reached significant achievement about military and his achievements are transformed huge empire. In addition, He founded Sahn-ı Seman which is the oldest educational institution in Ottoman history and also world history. It is first Turkish higher education institution in Istanbul. Summary, Fatih showed special interest in science, history and philosophy and he was a reformist sultan of Ottoman Empire.
Gentile Bellini (1429-1507)
Gentile Bellini was an Italian painter and he was born in Venice. Especially, his father Jacopo Bellini was a Venetian pioneer in the use of oil paint as an artistic medium. For this reason, Gentile Bellini was members of famous renowned painters. Venice was, at that time a very important point in which cultures and trade bordered on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. As noted, Gentile was the most prestigious painter in Venice. Much of Gentile Bellini’s surviving work consists of very large paintings for public buildings. His earliest signed work is The Blessed Lorenzo Justinian (1445) one of the oldest surviving oil paintings in Venice. Therefore in 1479, he was chosen by the government of Venice to work for Sultan Mehmed II in Istanbul. His role was not only as a visiting painter in an exotic locale, but also as a cultural ambassador for Venice.
Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and spreading to the rest of Europe. Renaissance period is a time of radical changes in art, science, philosophy, architecture. Gentile Bellini is a painter who lived during the renaissance period. Actually, this portrait has the distinction of being a work of mentioned period. Islamic History, Quran and prophet’s life was not published in any time; any described has been with miniature art however even miniature was not depiction prophet of Islam. In this sense, a picture sultan of Ottoman Empire to be made is very significant issue because this work is first portrait about sultan of Ottoman Empire. One of the reasons renaissances is that the conquest of Istanbul, so some scientist immigrated to Italy and then appeared to support the art and science of a class –the geographical discoveries of the bourgeois class.
Renaissance based on these basic understandings:
• The earth is worth investigating and good.
• Human is strong and great success with these strong.
• Human must be continually active and this is a honorable thing.
• Real is good.
Evaluation of image
When we analyze this portrait, first of all, Gentile Bellini painted as a very realistic because Fatih Sultan Mehmet ill and last time of life at that time. His face is very pale as you see because this portrait has been painted in the last period of Fatih’s life. Another thing that, this portrait has not direct view about an image and a part of his face is seen in this portrait because he sits on the side. Either side of the image, there is written painter’s name and date of creation. ( 25 November 1480, Gentile Bellini ) Although the use of darkness colors, portrait is quite clear and bright and also eye level is one of the important role in the portrait. Furthermore, a portrait made about close-up which means high level viewpoint, it provides more detail perspective. There are some different figures and shape in that portrait. All figures reflects particularly that period’s life style and clothes feature and some researchers agree that, these figures are represent the east culture. This is another perspective. Moreover, Fatih Sultan Mehmet wears as simple clothes in this portrait. There are three crowns left and right side and these ones represent Byzantine, Karamanogulları and Trabzon-Greek Empire which were battered states by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Although he painted simple clothes, these crowns give power to the portrait. Another thing, his header wrapped which is turban in Turkish kavuk is interesting. Actually, kavuk is very important thing in the Ottoman culture so that, it would have a certain even your occupation, social status and life style. In this sense, we can say that it is traditional behavior. Another important point that, there is a dome in this portrait and it may represents Islamic religious because Islamic rules dominated in Ottoman Empire and state’s religion was Islam. This portrait has a frame in the frame such as dome. Colors are very important role every image and used colors usually are dark colors however, this portrait’s feature is a bright.
As a result, Fatih was an open-minded sultan and he was a reformed sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout his life, he has made several innovations for development. Innovations in education and culture are very significant and also his arrangements through state have been renewed in several areas. His portrait made in 25 November 1480 and it has National Gallery in London.
Very good.
YanıtlaSil