NAKKAŞ LEVNÎ IN THE TULIP ERA: ARTISTIC VISION AND CULTURAL REFLECTIONS

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive examination of Nakkaş Levnî, one of the leading representatives of Ottoman miniature painting during the Tulip Era, focusing on his artistic approach, aesthetic preferences, and the cultural reflections of his works. In his miniatures, Levnî treated the relationship between figures and space, the arrangement of scenes, and the integrity of composition with an original perspective; he transcended the limits of the traditional two-dimensional narrative, infusing his works with depth and dynamism. The high horizon line, S-shaped arrangements of figure groups, and the conscious use of light-shadow and natural elements reveal Levnî’s technical mastery and visual expression. Although traces of Western painting traditions are evident in his works, these influences were integrated into Ottoman aesthetic values, resulting in a distinctive style. Collections such as Silsilename and Surnâme-i Vehbi meticulously documented the elegance, festivities, and social rituals of the Tulip Era, visually reflecting both palace life and the cultural trends of the period. By situating Levnî’s technical and aesthetic innovations within their historical and cultural context, this study aims to interpret the visual and cultural values of eighteenth-century Ottoman art from a broader perspective.