Four flower styles on Rüstem Pasa Mosque tiles (Tulip, carnation, rose, hyacinth)

ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to examine semi-stylized flower motifs on the tiles of the Rüstem Paşa Mosque. In the study, the analysis of the motifs was limited to four flower motifs. In this context, tulip, carnation, rose and hyacinth flower motifs were evaluated in the study. Although tile art, which is one of the most important examples of Ottoman art, emerged before the Ottoman Empire, it reached its peak in the 16th century. The Rüstem Paşa Mosque also stands out as one of the most beautiful examples of tile art. The Rüstem Paşa Mosque, which contains very rich ornaments in terms of tile decorations, has a plain appearance from the outside. The architect of the mosque, whose benefactor was Rüstem Paşa, was Mimar Sinan. The tile art of the Rüstem Paşa Mosque includes great richness, especially starting from the narthex section and moving towards the inside. When the tulip, carnation, rose and hyacinth motifs in the mosque were examined together, it was determined that the tulip motif was the most common flower motif in the mosque. The tulip motif is located in many parts of the mosque. The tulip motif, which is especially prominent on the borders surrounding the mosque as a whole, is also drawn in separate compositions in the panel sections. Carnation, rose and hyacinth motifs are in a very small section compared to the tulip motif. These motifs, which are not included in a significant section of the borders, are generally prominent in the sections under the balcony. The two panels that stand out in the examination of flower motifs are the tile tiles on the left facade panel - also known as the spring or heaven painting - and the panel on the pulpit. Many different flower motifs are present in these panels together. This rich content, which is not seen in other sections of the mosque, is one of the important examples in terms of tile art. In this context, another section that should be emphasized is the elephant piers. vi It has been determined that different motifs are present both on the tiles on the diagonals and on the upper sections of the elephant piers. Examples of flower motifs seen in a single place in the mosque are also processed on these piers. It was determined that the most used motif in the mosque was the tulip. As a result, according to the data obtained from various parts of the mosque, a total of 14,295 tulip, 3004 carnation, 33 rose and 2603 hyacinth motifs were determined. Keywords: Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Tile Art, Tulip Motif, Carnation Motif, Rose Motif, Hyacinth Motif.