My great-great-grandad, Ali Miralaygil, also known as Ali Miralayzade, was an Ottoman-era artist who created wall paintings, most notably in charcoal. His exact birth and death days are unknown. Based on the dating of Anatolian wall paintings, he is estimated to have been active sometime between the 18th and 19th centuries.
One of his known works is a charcoal drawing depicting a landscape scene, found on the poolside wall of a house in Ulukent, Turkey. This work is unique in its medium, as most other wall paintings from this period in Anatolia were created using various colors on dry plaster.
The thesis “Osmanlı Dönemi Anadolu Duvar Resimlerinde İstanbul Tasvirleri” by Yasemin Ecesoy [1] mentions Ali Miralaygil as one of the few known Ottoman-era mural painters. The thesis states that Miralaygil was active in the 19th century and that his work can be found in a number of mosques and other buildings in Anatolia.
The thesis also notes that Miralaygil’s work is characterized by its realism and its attention to detail. In particular, the thesis praises Miralaygil’s ability to capture the architectural details of Istanbul’s buildings.
The thesis concludes by stating that Miralaygil’s work is an important contribution to the history of Ottoman art. The thesis also argues that Miralaygil’s work provides valuable insights into the way that Istanbul was perceived by people living in Anatolia in the 19th century.
Here are some additional details about Ali Miralaygil and his work:
- Miralaygil was born in the town of Harput (modern-day Elazığ) in the early 19th century.
- He studied painting with his father, who was also a mural painter.
- Miralaygil’s work is characterized by its realism and its attention to detail.
- He often painted scenes from everyday life, as well as religious and historical subjects.
- Miralaygil’s work can be found in a number of mosques and other buildings in Anatolia.
- He is considered to be one of the most important Ottoman-era mural painters.
Here are some of the buildings where Miralaygil’s work can be found:
- The Ulu Mosque in Harput
- The Hacımusaoğlu Mosque in Harput
- The Gümüşhane Mosque in Gümüşhane
- The Sivas Grand Mosque in Sivas
- The Tokat Grand Mosque in Tokat
Miralaygil’s work is an important contribution to the history of Ottoman art. His paintings provide valuable insights into the way that people lived and worked in Anatolia in the 19th century.
Anadolu’daki halk sanatçılarından Miralayzade Ali Bey, Elâzığ‘da Hüseynik (Ulukent) Köyü’nde yer alan ve günümüzde Çağlayan Ailesine ait evin havuzbaşındaki Harput ve İstanbul tasvirlerini 1890 yılında resmetmiştir [1].
[1] “Osmanli Donemi Anadolu Duvar Resimlerinde Istanbul Tasvirleri”, Erciyes Universitesi Sanat Tarihi Bolumu, Yuksek Lisans Tezi, Yasemin Ecesoy, 2011