The effect of Ottoman Westernization on figurative painting

This study concentrates on the examination of Westernization efforts through the practice of figurative painting, which are generally acknowledged to have begun with the Tanzimat Edict in the Ottoman Empire and continued until the republic even though a clear boundary cannot be formed, The modernisation process that permeates the Ottoman Empire from top to bottom is known as westernization. Initially, it was perceived as a formal similarity, but later, it came to be associated with Westernization. It is impossible to believe that art will be unaffected by social, political, and economic change in a location where these changes are occurring. Examining the transition of art from "traditional" to "modern," as well as political developments, is the method used in our study. Through the figurative paintings of the painters who received their education abroad, it was possible to notice the shift brought about by Westernization in Ottoman society in this environment. The top social stratum that carried out Westernization was explored in the writings of the analyzed time. The people who did not alter their customary way of life, took their time to leave their cultural group, and were unable to adopt the process that began with the reforms are not represented by any artifacts. The study, which has two main sections, attempted to look at both the evolution and change of Turkish painting art as well as the political phases of the Westernization period. General topics about pre- and post-Islamic Turkish painting have been covered. Through the research of a few chosen figurative paintings, the study sought to demonstrate the Turkish painting tradition as it had been influenced by the West.