Calligraphy in Ottoman mosques under western influence -In the context of 8 mosques in Istanbul-

The Nuruosmaniye, Ayazma, Lâleli, Beylerbeyi, Nusretiye, Hırka-i Şerif, Ortaköy and Yıldız mosques are among the late Ottoman Western-influenced architectural works. These mosques, which look quite magnificent in terms of architecture and ornamentation, were built by the leading architects of the period. Each of these mosques can be the subject of a separate study with its exterior and interior ornamentation and especially its calligraphy, and the examples of jali sülüs, jali ta'lik and jali kûfî writing in these mosques in the context of eight selected mosques constitute the subject of our thesis. The writings of many famous calligraphers of the period, including Mumcuzâde Mehmed b. Ahmed, Mustafa Râkım and Kazasker Mustafa İzzet, adorn these mosques. The main aim of this study is to introduce the writings in the interior and exterior of the mosques in terms of calligraphy. First of all, the Ottoman architectural organization and Ottoman architects who worked under the influence of the West were discussed, then the relationship between architecture and calligraphy in Ottoman mosque architecture was emphasized and the effects of the architecture developed under the influence of the West on mosque architecture were discussed and the transition to the main subject was made. Here, the mosques are discussed in chronological order, the visuals of the calligraphy in their exteriors and interiors are presented, the technical and aesthetic features of the writings are analyzed by drawing attention to the relationship between text and space. In the last section, the calligraphy in these mosques is compared and evaluated, and the problems encountered in restorations are also mentioned. At the end of this study, which I hope will contribute to the history of calligraphy, I have come to the conclusion that the only element that keeps the Turkish traditions alive in these Ottoman buildings built under the influence of the West is these jali calligraphies. Keywords: Istanbul Mosques Under Western İnfluence, Calligraphy, Architecture, Celî Sülüs, Celî Ta'lik, Kûfî.