MUSTAFA VASIF: (d. 1852)

Mustafa Vasif was a native of Kastamonu. He came to Istanbul at an early age and began to study Thuluth and Naskhi under the calligrapher Gebecizade Mehmed Effendi. His teacher gave him the nickname “Comez” (theology student who served his master in return for board and tuition) by which he was commonly known. Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Effendi was one of the most outstanding of his pupils. He died in 1269 H. and was buried in Eyup.

NAZIF BEY: “Mehmed Nazif” (1846 - 1914)

Mehmed Nazif Bey was a native of Ruscuk, and was born in 1262 H. He entered the Saray school at an early age, and there he learned the art of calligraphy from Vahdeti Effendi of Burdur, a pupil of Abdullah Zühdü. He later studied Ta’Iiq under Sami Effendi, from whom he received his icazet.After leaving the Saray school he spent many years as calligrapher in the Cartography Department of the Erkan-i Harbiye-i Umumiye (Army General Staff).He had a very fine command of Thuluth, Jeli and Naskhi, and displayed great skill in the use of Ta’Iiq.Nazif Bey died in 1331 H. and was buried in the graveyard belonging to the Yahya Effendi Dergah (dervish convent) in Besiktas.

NECMEDDiN OKYAY: (1883 - 1876)

Necmeddin Okyay was born in 1300 H. in Usküdar. He received his icazet in Divani script from Talat Bey, teacher of writing in the Ravzai Terakki School in Usküdar, and his icazet in Thuluth and Naskhi from Bakkal Arif Effendi. He also took lessons in Ta’liq and Jeli from the great calligrapher Sami Effendi. He was appointed imam in the Yeni Mosque in Usküdar, and remained in this post for many years. Necmeddin Effendi introduced a number of improvements in the writing of Ta’Iiq and Jeli Ta’Iiq, of which he was one of the finest masters. He also displayed great skill in Ebru (marbling) and in the binding and repair of old Turkish books. He was the inventor of an original type of Ebru containing floral motifs and writing. He held teaching posts in the Medresetül Hattatin (school of Calligraphy), the Sark Tezyini Sanatlar Mektebi (School of Oriental Decorative Arts) and the Academy of Fine Arts.He died in 1396 H. (1976) at the age in ninety-three and was buried in the cemetery of Karacaahmet.

OSMAN EFFENDI: “Hafiz Osman” (1642 - 1698)

Osman Effendi was born in Istanbul. He studied calligraphy under the master calligrapher Dervish All and later under Suyolcuzade Eyyubi Mustafa Effendi, from whom he received his icazet. Hafiz Osman was a brilliant calligrapher who succeeded in investing the script originally employed by Sheikh Hamdullah with a new elegance, and thus became known as “Seyh-i Sani”, the second Sheikh. He had a large number of pupils, one of the most outstanding being the calligrapher Ismail bin All Agakapi. He died in 1110 H. and was buried in the graveyard belonging to the Sünbül Effendi Dergah (dervish convent) in Kocamustafa.

RAKIM: ‘Mustafa Rakim” (1757 - 1826)

Mustafa Rakim occupies a most important place in the history of Turkish calligraphy. Mustafa Rakım was born in Ünye, Ordu in 1171/1758. In his childhood he studied sciences. At the same time, he was doing hüsn-i hat with his brother. When he was 12, he had his caliograph diploma. That year, he wrote a celi sülüs graveyard inscription. Through that inscription, it is seen that he likes different combinations. He had always been after searching noveltıes and differences. However, his art had unıquely developed after the death of his brother, in 1221/1806. After this data, there had been a progress in Rakım’s art. After 1230/1815 Rakım produced excellent productions both in tuğra of Sultan and in celi sülüs.

Rakım was at the same time a figurıst. He found the aesthetic meaurement of the letters in celi sülüs. He gave them a nice shape that could be seen according to their height. Apart from, he managet to join the letters in combination. While doing these, he did not give harm to the organization and the proportion of the letters. İn Sultan Tuğras, he gave an aesthetic of letters and reorganized the combinations. All other caliograps followed him. Other who don’t follow him were all forgotten. It is not Knovn if he had a tutor in talik, but his craft in celi sülüs helped him to produce works in talik as well. However, his writing has never become well known, when compared to Yesarizade. Rakım, who produced nesih works in Hafız Osman’s way, has become well-known by his work in celi sülüs and tuğra.

The tomb of Rakım Efendi who died in 1241/1826 is currently in İstanbul, at Fatih, next to Karagümrük Atikalipaşa Mosque. In his tomb his son, and his pupil Haşim Efendi is burried an well.

RIZA: “Hasan Riza’ (1849 - 1920)

Recai Effendi was born at Sütlüce in Istanbul in 1218 H. He learned Thuluth and Naskhi from Mehmed Effendi of Filibe and was awarded his icazet at the age of thirteen. Recai Effendi was the father of the poet and writer Recaizade Ekrem Bey and the grandfather of the writer Ercümend Ekrem Talu. Recai Effendi held a number of government posts. He died in 1291 H. and was buried in the cemetery at Eyup.

SAMI EFFENDI: (1837 - 1914)

Sami Effendi was born in Istanbul in 1253 H. He was the son of Mahmud Effendi the Yorgancilar Kethüdasi (Head of the Quilt-Makers). He learned Ta’Iiq from Kibrisizade Ismail Hakki Effendi and All Haydar Bey, and Thuluth from Bosnak Osman Effendi; In Jeli script he was a close follower of Mustafa Rakim, whom he rivaled in excellence.A number of fine very inscriptions and istifs by this calligrapher can be seen on various mosques, fountains, etc. in Istanbul. He trained some very fine calligraphers, including Necmeddin Effendi and Kamil (Akdik) Effendi. He died in 1330 H. and was buried in the cemetery belonging to the Fatih Mosque.

SEFiK BEY: (1819 - 1880)

Sefik Bey was born in Besiktas in Istanbul in 1235 H. He began to study calligraphy with Ali Vasfi Effendi and, after the death of his father, continued his studies with the greatest calligrapher of the time, Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Effendi. He was later appointed teacher of calligraphy to the officiais in the Saray. Sultan Abdulmecid sent him, together with the calligrapher Abdulfettah Effendi, to Bursa to repair the inscriptions in the UIu Djami, which had been severely damaged in the earthquake of 1855. During the three years he spent on these repairs he also wrote a numoer of very fine inscriptions in other mosques.Sefik Bey was a very fine calligrapher who composed some very beautiful pieces in Thuluth, Jeli, Naskhi and Divani scripts. The ayets on each side of the “Daire-i Umuru Askeriyye” above the main entrance of the central building of the University in Beyazid and the inscriptions in the UIu Djami in Bursa are to be reckoned amongst his finest works.He died in 1297 H. and was buried in the Yahya Effendi cemetery in Besiktas.

SEVKI: “Mehmed Sevki Effendi” (1828- 1887)

Mehmed Sevki Effendi was born in Kastamonu in 1245 H. He was brought to Istanbul at a very early age and learned Thuluth and Naskhi from his uncle Hulusi Effendi. He received his icazet at the age of fourteen. In spite of his teachers insistence he refused to continue his studies with any other teacher and confined his further studies to an examination of the calligraphic models prepared by Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Effendi. He taught Hüsnü Hat (penmanship) in the Ministry of War and in a number of schools. In Naskhi script he adopted the style of Hafiz Osman and small Zühdü while in Thuluth and Jeli he followed Mustafa Rakim. He left a number of very fine pieces, most of them istifs. He was one of finest exponents of the Hatti icaze.He died in 1304 H. and was buried in the Merkez Effendi cemetery.

TAHSiN: “Hasan Tahsin Hilmi” (1847 - 1914)

Tahsin Hilmi was born at Tophane in Istanbul in 1263 H. He learned Thuluth and Naskhi from Sefik Bey and Ta’Iiq from Sami Effendi. He held the post of teacher of penmanship in various school in Istanbul, including the Kiz Muallim Mektebi (Teacher Training School for Girls), and the Darüssafaka and Galatasaray Lycees.He died in 1330 H. and was buried in the cemetery at Eyup.

VASFI: “Gebecizade Mehmed Vasfi”

Mehmed Vasfi was a teacher in the Palace’s school and widely known by the cognomen Gebecizade”. The date of his birth is uncertain, but he is known to have learned the art of calligraphy from Ebubekir Rasid Effendi and to have received his icazet in 1181 H. He was a teacher of calligraphy to Mahmud II.He was a very prolific calligrapher and wrote twenty copies of the Qur’an, a large number of Delails and En’ams, over two hundred Hilyes and a large number of Murak’kas and Kit’as. He had a great many pupils, including a number of outstanding calligraphers such as Ata Effendi, Mustafa Effendi, Vasif Effendi and Eyyubi Mehmed Rasid Effendi.He died in 1231 H. and was buried in the graveyard of the Mercan Mosque.

YAHYA HILMI: (1833 - 1909)

Yahya Hilmi was born in Istanbul in 1249 H. He learned the art of calligraphy from Hasim Effendi, a pupil of Rakim, and Halil Zühdi Effendi. His Thuluth, and more particularly his Naskhi, were remarkable for their perfection of style and attractive appearance. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts contains a very large-scale Qur’an. He was a very rapid writer.This great calligrapher died in 1325 H. and was buried in the graveyard of Süleymaniye Mosque.

YAHYA FAHREDDIN

Yahya Fahreddin was born in Istanbul and was generally known as Sari Yahya (Yahya the Fair) of Tophane. He was the son of one Osman Effendi. His date of birth is uncertain, but he is known to have learned the art of calligraphy from Anbarizade Dervis Ali and to have continued his studies after the death of his teacher with Hüseyin Habli Effendi, from whom he received his wet in 1138 H.He wrote fifteen copies of the Qur’an and was responsible for the inscriptions over the doors of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque. He died in 1169 H. and was buried opposite the Sheikh Murad tekke in Eyup.

YESARI: “Mehmed Esad Yesari” (d. 1798)

Mehmed Esad Yesari was a native of Istanbul. He was born paralysed down the right hand side of his body, which gave rise to the nickname “Yesari” (left-handed). He learned the art of calligraphy from the master of Ta’Iiq script Mehmed Dedezade and very quickly gained his icazet. (1167 H.).He trained a considerable number of pupils and his writings and inscriptions are to be seen on many mosques, tombs, fountains, imarets, etc. in Istanbul. His son Musfafa Izzet Effendi was, like his father, a master of Ta’liq script.He died in 1213 H. and was buried in the vicinity of the Fatih Mosque.

YUSUF: ‘Demirci Kulu”

Yusuf was a native of Istanbul. He was born in the district of Tophane but his date of birth is uncertain. He was the slave of Demirci Agha, who cast the metal for the cannons in the foundry belonging to the Corps of Janissaries, and was thus generally known as ‘Demirci KuIu’ (save of the iron-worker).He learned the art of calligraphy from Dervish Mehmed Celebi, a pupil of Ahmet Karahisari, and from Abdullah Kirimi. He was responsible for the Jeli inscriptions in the mosque built by the famous Turkish seaman and Admiral Kilic All Pasha at Tophane. The date of his death is given in the Tuhfe-i Hattatin as 1020 H., and in the Hattatlar silsilesi by Gebecizade Mehmed Vasfi Effendi as 1018 H. He is buried in the cemetery belonging to the Karabas tekke (dervish lodge) at Tophane.

YUSUF: ‘Demirci Kulu”

Yusuf was a native of Istanbul. He was born in the district of Tophane but his date of birth is uncertain. He was the slave of Demirci Agha, who cast the metal for the cannons in the foundry belonging to the Corps of Janissaries, and was thus generally known as ‘Demirci KuIu’ (save of the iron-worker).He learned the art of calligraphy from Dervish Mehmed Celebi, a pupil of Ahmet Karahisari, and from Abdullah Kirimi. He was responsible for the Jeli inscriptions in the mosque built by the famous Turkish seaman and Admiral Kilic All Pasha at Tophane. The date of his death is given in the Tuhfe-i Hattatin as 1020 H., and in the Hattatlar silsilesi by Gebecizade Mehmed Vasfi Effendi as 1018 H. He is buried in the cemetery belonging to the Karabas tekke (dervish lodge) at Tophane.

YUSUF: “Court tutor Hafiz Yusuf” (d. 1783)

Yusuf was a native of Istanbul. He was born in the district of Tophane but his date of birth is uncertain. He was the slave of Demirci Agha, who cast the metal for the cannons in the foundry belonging to the Corps of Janissaries, and was thus generally known as ‘Demirci KuIu’ (save of the iron-worker).He learned the art of calligraphy from Dervish Mehmed Celebi, a pupil of Ahmet Karahisari, and from Abdullah Kirimi. He was responsible for the Jeli inscriptions in the mosque built by the famous Turkish seaman and Admiral Kilic All Pasha at Tophane. The date of his death is given in the Tuhfe-i Hattatin as 1020 H., and in the Hattatlar silsilesi by Gebecizade Mehmed Vasfi Effendi as 1018 H. He is buried in the cemetery belonging to the Karabas tekke (dervish lodge) at Tophane.

YUSUF: “Court tutor Hafiz Yusuf” (d. 1783)

Hafiz Yusuf was born in Anatolia but migrated to Istanbul. He was keenly interested in calligraphy and received his icazet from Ibrahim Rodosi. He learned the niceties of the art of calligraphy from Hoca Mehmet Rasim Effendi of Egrikapi, and was appointed teacher in Galatasaray Lycee.He died in 1201 H.

ZIYA: ‘Ahmed Ziya” (1869 - 1938)

Ahmed Ziya was born in Istanbul in 1286 H. He studied in Kuleli Military School and in the Military Academy from which he graduated as an officer. He learned Thuluth and Naskhi from Hulusi Effendi, a pupil of Sevki, and Jeli Thuluth from Sami Effendi. He was also a graduate of the Sanayi-i Nefise (Academy of Fine Arts), which he entered in 1309 H. He was a good painter. He also studied ilmi nucum (astronomy). He was appointed muvakkit (time-Keeper) in the Muvakkithane of Eyup Mosque. He ater taught mathematics, cosmography and mechanics in the Halicioglu Military Lycee.This distinguished calligrapher, painter and scholar died in 1357 H. and was buried in the cemetery at Silivrikapi.

ZUHDI: lsmail Zühdi” (d. 1806)

mail Zühdi was a native of Unye and the elder brother of the calligrapher Mustafa Rakim. He learned Thuluth and Naskhi from Ahmet Hifzi Effendi of Fethiye, from whom he received his icazet. He was appointee Court tutor in calligraphy and trained a large number of pupis, the most distinguished of these being his own brother Mustafa Rakim.He died in 1221 H. and was buried in the cemetery at Eyup.