The transformation of the gaze in Turkish painting: A study through cityscapes

The aim of this study is to examine the historical transformation of the concept of "gaze," which represents the artist's perception of the world, in the process of creating a work of art in the field of painting. While addressing the concept of the "gaze," defined as the artist's prolonged mental engagement with the subject of their work, the study seeks to answer the following question: "How does the 'gaze' in painting reflect historical and societal shifts?" The transformation of the concept of "gaze" will be evaluated through the frequently depicted urban imagery in history. This analysis will focus on visual arts in the context of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, as this geography, influenced by numerous cultural currents over centuries, has provided fertile ground for a diversity in different types of gazes. The time frame of the study spans from the Ascendancy Period of the Ottoman Empire to the first 20 years of the Republic of Turkey. This period offers a rich context for understanding the historical evolution of the "gaze," given its diversity in terms of social developments.