THE REFLECTION OF THE ARTISTIC PERSONALITY OF EARLY OTTOMAN SULTANS ON ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF BURSA

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire is a civilization that offers great diversity and richness in terms of architecture. Throughout the empire, different cultural interactions and artistic developments led to the formation of a unique architectural style. This article examines the basic features of early Ottoman architectural art through various structures and decoration styles. It also discusses the effects of the architectural approaches of this period on later Ottoman architecture and the reflections of these effects on today's modern architecture.

It examines in depth how the artistic understanding and education of the first sultans of the Ottoman Empire had an impact on architectural works, especially in the city of Bursa. During the founding and rise of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa was not only a political and economic center, but also the focus of artistic and architectural innovations. This study examines how the important architectural structures in the city were shaped in line with the artistic visions and personal tastes of the sultans, and evaluates the effects of this situation on the general development of Ottoman architecture.

Early Ottoman sultans were generally educated with extensive training in various branches of art. The personal interests and talents of the sultans manifested themselves in various ways in the architectural works they commissioned during their reign. In this context, the city of Bursa stands out as one of the places where the artistic personalities of the sultans are most intensely reflected in the architecture. Mosques, social complexes, madrassas and other social structures attract attention as elements that reflect the aesthetic preferences, religious and cultural values, and even social and educational understandings of the sultans.

This study focuses especially on Murad I, Bayezid I, and II. While examining the structures built during the reign of Murad II, he evaluates the artistic personalities and education of the sultans through the architectural features, aesthetic understanding and decorations of these works. Buildings such as the Green Mosque and Yıldırım Bayezid Complex and Murad I Hüdavendigar Mosque are considered as perfect examples of the artistic visions of the sultans and their personal contributions to architecture. Additionally, it focuses on how the artistic education of the sultans shaped their relationships with architects and artists and what role these dynamics played in the process from planning to construction, interior and exterior decoration of architectural works. It reveals that the artistic personalities of the early Ottoman sultans left deep and lasting effects on the architectural works in Bursa. This influence manifested itself not only in the aesthetic and artistic aspects of the buildings, but also in the formation of the socio-cultural dynamics and architectural traditions of the city and therefore the empire. In this sense, Bursa maintains its place in history as a concrete reflection of the artistic heritage of the Ottoman sultans and their influence on architecture. These findings reveal how intertwined art and architecture are with the understanding of sovereignty and management practice and how effective they are on the social structure.