Intellectual of the Tanzimat Period: Osman Hamdi Bey, His Life and Works 

The artist, who lived between 1842 and 1910, was not only an archaeologist, educator, and curator, but also a painter. He went to Paris to study law but abandoned this education to begin studying painting at the Paris School of Fine Arts (École des Beaux-Arts). Osman Hamdi Bey returned home in 1869 with the knowledge and experience he had acquired and pioneered the establishment of the School of Fine Arts, now known as Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. He served as director of the Imperial Museum (Istanbul Archaeological Museum) for many years, significantly expanding the museum's collection. He initiated excavations at the Temple of Hecate in Lagina, the tumulus of Mount Nemrut. His most significant archaeological excavation was the excavation of the royal tomb at Saida (Sidon, Lebanon). 

Artists and Movements Influenced by 

Osman Hamdi Bey was one of the first painters in Turkish painting to incorporate monumental figures into his compositions. He created works that blended Western and Ottoman culture. During his studies in Paris, he formed close relationships with the renowned orientalist painters of the period, Jean-Léon Gérôme and Gustave Boulanger, and was greatly influenced by them. Gérôme's influence is evident in his attention to detail, composition, and historical details. Gustave Boulanger, in turn, was one of Gérôme's close friends. Osman Hamdi Bey also had the opportunity to attend his classes. The lessons he received from Boulanger were influential in developing Osman Hamdi Bey's perspective and technical skills.  

Some of his important works include: 

• Turtle Trainer  

• After Iftar 

• Altar 

• Arms Dealer