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Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection
November 28, 2003 - February 8, 2004
A variety of programs are offered in conjunction with the Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection exhibition. For a complete list of programs, please click here.
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Pittsburgh, PA — A major exhibition highlighting the artistic heritage of the Ottoman Empire opens at The Frick Art Museum on November 28, 2003. Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection embraces the cultural achievements of a dynasty that spanned more than six centuries and became one of the largest and most powerful states in the history of Europe and the Middle East.
The Ottomans were first recorded around the year 1300 as the rulers of a small territory in northwestern Turkey. Over the next 600 years they reigned as sultans over an empire that, at its height, included North Africa, the Near East, Turkey, and extended into Europe as far as Hungary and Romania.
Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection celebrates the originality and resilience of Ottoman artistic expression with over 200 works that include richly embellished manuscripts, decorated tiles, vibrant textiles, elaborate mosque decorations, jewel-encrusted arms and armor, miniature paintings, sundials, and calligrapher’s tools. The works range in date from the 15th century—considered the “golden age” of the Ottoman Empire—up to the First World War.
Empire of the Sultans is drawn from The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. With holdings of more than 20,000 objects that document the artistic production of the Islamic lands over a period of some 1,400 years, the collection now ranks among the best in the world. The exhibition tour marks the first time this important collection has been seen in the United States and includes objects that have never before been exhibited.
Empire of the Sultans is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia. The exhibition is curated by Professor J. Michael Rogers, Professor of Art and Archaeology at the University of London. Empire of the Sultans remains on view at The Frick Art Museum through February 8, 2004.
“This exhibition enables us to bring the art and cultures of the world to our Pennsylvania audience, “ says Frick Director Bill Bodine. “One of the most important aspects of the Khalili collection is that it was formed with an acute awareness of the criteria by which Muslims have judged, and still judge, their art.”
The Exhibition
Empire of the Sultans is divided into four sections that explore Ottoman artistic expression in religious, military, administrative, and daily life.
Islam, a religion founded on the holy text of the Ku’ran has always venerated the written word, and calligraphy achieved new heights of elegance under the Ottomans. Accordingly, it is given a special place in the exhibition. On view are several copies of the Ku’ran—which illustrate the Ottomans’ exquisite form of the “nesih” script and distinct forms of illumination and bookbinding—as well as royal decrees and other important state documents. The sultans also employed calligraphers to design inscriptions to embellish mosques and other religious buildings. Such works in the exhibition include calligraphic medallions and ornamented door fittings.
Religion also influenced the Ottomans’ patronage of the sciences. Elaborate compasses, astrolabe quadrants and sundials were used in conjunction with almanacs and lush illustrations of shrines and towns to determine the correct times for prayers, the dates of festivals and the direction of Mecca from a particular location.
As warriors of Islam, the Ottomans expanded their empire into both Christian Europe and Shi’ite Iran. Their army on campaign—virtually a palace on the move—was a brilliant and awesome sight with its silk banners, steel war masks, chain mail, jewel-encrusted horse armor, and beautifully forged daggers and sheaths. Even in the case of firearms, decorative appearance was almost as important as technical excellence, as evidenced by the exhibition’s arms, which are inlaid with bone, ivory, gems, and gold.
Second only to their religious architecture, the Ottomans are best known for their decorative arts, particularly ceramics and carpets. Here, the influences of their multi-ethnic empire are particularly apparent.
Knotted woolen carpets were produced in Anatolia and Egypt both for home use and export to Europe, which began as early as the 15th century. Early examples of flasks and dishes whose surfaces mimic those of Chinese wares reflect one sultan’s desire to augment Palace holdings of early Ming and Yuan porcelain. An array of domestic objects in silver, brass and glass—including jugs, incense burners, coffeepots and a scent dropper— employ shapes and designs influenced by artistic trends from across the empire and parts of Europe.
Exhibition Catalogue
Empire of the Sultans is accompanied by a 296-page catalogue, which includes a full-color image of every work in the exhibition, as well as a map of the Ottoman Empire. Professor J. Michael Rogers, Professor of Art and Archaeology, University of London, authored the publication and contributed two essays about the political aspects of the Ottoman Empire and the collecting of Turkish Art. The catalogue will be available for $39.95 at the Frick’s Museum Shop.
Acoustiguide Audio Tours
Acoustiguide Audio Tours will be available at The Frick Art Museum for $5. The tour is narrated by Professor J. Michael Rogers, Honorary Curator of the Khalili Collection, and Tim Stanley, Deputy Curator of the Khalili Collection, with an introduction by William B. Bodine, Jr., Director, Frick Art & Historical Center.
Exhibition Support
Exhibitions at The Frick Art Museum are made possible, in part, by annual operating support grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
The Frick Art Museum
Part of the Frick Art & Historical Center in Pittsburgh, The Frick Art Museum contains the fine and decorative art collection of Helen Clay Frick, daughter of Henry Clay Frick. In addition to exhibiting its permanent collection, which concentrates on Italian Renaissance and French eighteenth-century works, the Museum has an active program of temporary exhibitions.
Admission to The Frick Art Museum is free to the public. Free, docent-led tours of Empire of the Sultans will be offered every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at
2:00 p.m. Group tours (for five or more) and tours of the permanent collection are available for $5 per person and must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Acoustiguide Audio Tours of the exhibition are also available for $5 per person.
The Frick Art & Historical Center
The Frick Art & Historical Center is located at 7227 Reynolds Street in Point Breeze. Free parking is available in the Frick’s off-street lot, or along adjacent streets.
From November 21 through January 4, the Frick offers expanded hours for the holiday season: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays,
10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays.
For information and reservations, call 412-371-0600, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
For further information or images, please contact Greg Langel at the Frick Art & Historical Center at 412-371-0600, ext. 524, or glangel@frickart.org.
Click here for more information about special events and programs offered in conjunction with Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection.
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