The representation of Ottoman wars in oil painting (1700–1918)

This study examines the representation of the wars involving the Ottoman Empire between 1700 and 1918 in the medium of oil painting. Created under Western artistic influence by both local and foreign painters, these at works provide valuable insights into the Empire's military, political, cultural, and social landscape during its final centuries. Within the scope of the study, the main source of the thesis is the oil paintings in the museum collections of Turkey's leading cultural and art institutions. The collections examined include the Ankara State Museum of Painting and Sculpture, the Istanbul Military Museum and Cultural Site Command, the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture affiliated with Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, the Istanbul Naval Museum, the Izmir State Museum of Painting and Sculpture, and the National Palaces Painting Museum. Employing a cataloging- based methodology, the study analyzes how these conflicts were artistically interpreted and how the broader Westernization process of the Ottoman Empire shaped its visual culture. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach that bridges art history and military history, the thesis aims to highlight the historical and aesthetic significance of war-themed oil paintings. Ultimately, the study aspires to contribute a valuable scholarly resource for historians, art historians, and researchers engaged in Ottoman studies. Keywords: Ottoman Empire, Oil Painting, Ottoman History, War Paintings, Museum Collections