OTTOMAN MASTERPIECES EXHIBITION

It is an acknowledged truth that the tombak pieces, silver pieces, porcelains, and statues that once adorned palaces, castles, mansions, manors and waterside residences, and the paintings, hilyes (works depicting the appearance and qualities of prophet Mohammad) , and plates that were hung on their walls changed hands many times in time and followed their own life lines, if it may be said so. Often, that line ends at a museum. Yet, what starts at this point is a new adventure. The number of people that would look at its beauty, its place in the history of art, and its significance is then increased. The gazes are different now. The field of interest is larger. Therefore, they have to rest during the night. That is why museums are closed for visit at night.

From time to time I try to imagine the “life line” of these works.

There are such strong characters that the works that they once owned or stood in front of to look at everyday or the objects they used inevitably bear their traces. Thus, it seems to me that the new owner of a work also buys with that work or “object” those memories as well.

I know that my father sold many works that my grandfather had sold. There are those works which both my grandfather and my father had sold, and which I had the chance to sell once more. I experienced all of these thoughts and feelings as I organized this exhibition.

My late father used to say, “Son, know that all this beauty belongs to everyone.”

Our job is not to conceal them but to convey them to those who like them.

Thus I have organized this exhibition to bring together these masterpieces with those who would like them.

R.P.