A Journey Through Ottoman Splendor: History, Art, Legacy

Register for this Spring 2024 course on the new NYU SPS Academy of Lifelong Learning website .
Join us for a captivating exploration of the Ottoman Empire’s (1453 – 1922) rich history and enduring influence on art and architecture. Over the course of six weeks, we will trace the trajectory of the Ottomans from their humble beginnings in 13th century Anatolia, where Europe and Asia converge, to their influence on the Renaissance, illustrious reign over vast territories, and dissolution after WWI. This journey reached fruition during the reign of Mehmet II who captured Constantinople, the great capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, in 1453 and placed it at the center of a growing empire that drew from Turkic and Byzantine traditions but also attracted Europe’s great artists and scholars. As the Ottomans expanded their territories and military prowess in the 16th century, they became a magnet for Iranian and Arab artists and intellectuals. The empire saw a fusion of diverse artistic traditions giving rise to masterpieces produced in the provinces, from ceramics in Iznik to textiles in Bursa, carpets in Cairo, and the arts of the book in Baghdad. The Ottoman aesthetic tradition continues to resonate in contemporary architecture and art across regions spanning the Balkans to the Caucasus, North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula through signature features such as hemispherical domes, slender pencil-shaped minarets, and exquisite floral motifs. Together, we will uncover the secrets of an empire that bridged continents and left an indelible mark on the world. This course includes an optional visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Spring 2024 tuition is $529.

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