VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents a MFAH Special Lecture -  A Mirror of Life in Istanbul in 1582, Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 5 PM at the Audrey Jones Beck Building.. Presented by Professor Dr. Nurhan Atasoy.

Sultan Murat III (pictured) —unlike his predecessors—did not go on military journeys to earn big triumphs. Instead, in order to announce the might and magnificence of the Ottoman Empire to the world, Sultan Murat III prepared a major celebration for his son’s circumcision ceremony and gave orders for the preparations a year in advance. The celebration, which took place in Ibrahim Pasa Palace in Istanbul and lasted 52 days and 52 nights, is considered among the oldest social events in Ottoman history.

Professor Nurham Atasoy talks about how the miniature paintings in the Surname, the Imperial Festival Book, depict and describe these celebrations and serve as a mirror of life in 1582.

One of the world’s leading experts on Ottoman art and architecture, Professor Nurhan Atasoy is former Chair, Department of Fine Arts, former Chair, Department of Archaeology and Art History, and former Dean, Faculty of Letters, Istanbul University.

This event is free and open to the public. A reception to meet the speaker follows the lecture.

Generously sponsored by Cenk and Catherine Ozdogan. Additional support provided by Turkish Cultural Foundation and Friends of the Arts of the Islamic World.