Masters and Style Change in the History of Turkish Ebru

Abstract

Ebru (paper marbling), a Turkish art of adornment, dates back to 15th-16th centuries.Ebru used to be a subcategory of the arts of calligraphy and binding until late 20th century; nevertheless, in the last 25 years, it acquired an individual artisticpersonality. Westernisation movement, which emerged in Ottoman state and sociallife as of early 18th century, took hold of artistic circles in a short time; consequently,Classical Ottoman Style left for Western artistic approaches. Since the change spreadover a long period, the deconstruction of transformation was not apparent and ratherseemed like a natural process according to public memory. Hereby study deals withstylistic changes and Western influence on Ebru art since the very beginning and triesto unearth the part played by Ebru artists in the process. Besides, the study intends tounderline the causes and effects of mentioned transformation