A. Süheyl Ünver Notlarından Dedesi / From A. Süheyl Ünver’s Notes: His Grandfather HATTAT MEHMED ŞEVKİ EFENDİ. Hayatı, Sanatı ve Murakka’ları / His Life, Art and Muraqqas

Prepared by Yüksel Yücel; IRCICA, 2026

An exquisite book-album has been published by IRCICA on the works of the master of Islamic calligraphy Mehmed Şevki Efendi (1829-1887), an eminent figure renowned for his contributions to the development and transmission of this art. He developed his own style known as the “Şevki School” for different scripts, taught numerous students; calligraphed twenty-five complete and many partial copies of the Holy Qur’an, as well as prayers, kit’as (sample pieces), murakkas (folders of kit’as), hilyas (calligraphic composition describing the features of the Prophetsaw), and jaly inscriptions on buildings. The main text of the book-album is based on the diaries of his grandson Ahmet Süheyl Ünver (1898-1986, a specialist of medical history and a master illuminator in Istanbul). The album part features the images of nearly five hundred calligraphy plates, as well as samples and sketches selected from major museums, libraries, and private collections.