Some Findings on Stanisław Chlebowski’s Ottoman War Paintings

Abstract

Ottoman war tables that majorly contribute to the tradition of historical paintings by taking a role in documenting in terms of its period is a reality that they have made for the sake of old times although they hold a mirror to the experiences dating back centuries. The most important factor behind that is to gain their admiration of the managing group, to carry out the function of propaganda with a political behaviour, and to make a show of strength. For this reason, artists who worked under the palace and produced their paintings in line with the wishes of their patrons have always had to present military achievements with magnificent narratives. Because praise of their leaders through their gained victories, to increase their power in a sense, and immortalise their achievements via imageries are considered as a great success among painters. Furthermore, these paintings also carried out a political mission alongside being artwork. The most outstanding examples of this idea are given by Polish artist Stanisław Chlebowski who served as the court painter of Sultan Abdulaziz in the years between 1870 and 1876. During this period, Ottoman war paintings take first place among the works of the artist who signed many paintings. But these paintings are not only war paintings, they are also important documents that contribute to the visual memory of the historical narrative of the Ottoman Empire in a military sense. In this article, some determinations were made by following the visual traces reflected in Chlebowski’s Ottoman war paintings, and some thoughts were put forward on the innovations that the works brought to the history of Turkish war painting. © 2023 Art-Sanat Dergisi. All rights reserved.