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Lectures on the Arts of Calligraphy and Illumination were given at IRCICA by the eminent scholars Prof. Dr. Uğur Derman on calligraphy, Prof. Dr. Çiçek Derman on illumination, with the Master Calligrapher Efdaluddin Kılıç as moderator, on 1st October 2025. The program, titled “Istanbul, A Center of the Arts with Traditions” was organized in conjunction with the administration of Istanbul Historical Areas Area Presidency, within the framework of the Culture Route Festival organized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism on the 40th year of the registration of Istanbul in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The program was accompanied by an exhibition of calligraphy and illumination that became part of the festival from 27 September-5 October 2025. It was concluded with the address and presentation of a documentary film by Mr. M. Mustafa Tural, Head of the Presidency of the Istanbul Historical Areas.
Prof. Dr. Uğur Derman gave a deeply instructive and amply illustrated lecture on the art of calligraphy and its development through the ages. Prof. Derman first introduced the tools and materials used in the classical art of calligraphy. Then, he gave a detailed overview of the development of different scripts most widely used. Showing pictures of calligraphy plates, inscriptions from monuments of Istanbul, pages of historical manuscripts, and exercise books, Prof. Uğur Derman explained the scripts, composition and components of each work. On the basis of abundant examples of masterpieces, Prof. Derman alluded to prominent masters and their contributions which had constituted turning points in the history of this art.
Prof. Dr. Çiçek Derman gave an enlightening and comprehensive lecture on the classical art of illumination, supplemented by illustrations of masterpieces from different centuries selected from museums of Istanbul, from collections and manuscript books. Prof. Derman pointed out that illumination is a distinct art rooted in ancient history that produces its own artworks and at the same time is applied to decorate and highlight the works of calligraphy. She gave information on the brush as the main tool and described the preparation of gold to paint the works. She reviewed the main periods, the peak periods of this art in Istanbul starting from the 15th century, giving information on the mainstream motifs and colors of different periods, including the Rococo style introduced in the 18th century with its ubiquitous rose motif and other distinguishing features. She spoke of the palace workshops and their systems, as well as of the methods of work of individual artists in more recent times.
