The Ottoman Bank Museum is hosting Prof. Çiçek Derman at Objects and Rituals this month with a presentation entitled, "A Contemporary Look at the Ottoman Art of Illumination," in which Derman examines the evolution of this fine art under Ottoman rule. The lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, January 31, at 6:30 p.m.

"Though the art of tezhip (illumination) has a long history among Turkish decorative arts, its golden age occurred during the Ottoman centuries," says Derman. "Illumination held a special place in the arts of the book and acquired a variety of styles over the centuries. Working in the palace nakkaşhane (painting atelier) tradition, müzehhips (illuminators) created perfect examples of this art form, which have survived to our day. Some of the artists signed their works; others are recognizable by their particular style; all trained under a master-apprentice system. Although, owing to a number of factors, the art of illumination may have occasionally veered from it true path, today, it has recovered the recognition and appreciation it deserves."

Prof. Çiçek Derman Derman was born in 1945, in Ankara. After graduating from the Department of Art History at Istanbul University, she pursued her studies in art with private tutoring from Rikkat Kunt, Muhsin Demironat and Süheyl Ünver. In 1986, she obtained her Ph.D. from the Institute of Social Sciences at Marmara University. In 1992, she became assistant professor, in 1996, associate professor, and in 2002, full professor in the Department of Traditional Turkish Arts at Marmara University. Derman is currently a member of the faculty in the Department of Traditional Turkish Arts, and Chair of the Department of Ottoman Illumination and Miniature Painting at Maramara University.

Voyvoda Street Objects and Rituals Lectures "A Contemporary Look at the Ottoman Art of Illumination" Prof. Çiçek Derman Derman Wednesday, January 31, 2007 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Free admission The Ottoman Bank Museum Bankalar (Voyvoda) Caddesi 35/37 (0212) 334 22 70