The Mediterranean Renaissance: A Shared Heritage
Metin Mustafa
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Abstract: By the 15th and 16th centuries, with the expansion of the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Mehmed II and Süleyman the Magnificent, the Ottomans experienced a unique period when their art, and Italian art, was experiencing an artistic efflorescence. While much scholarly work has been conducted on the political, military, social and cultural history of the Ottoman Empire, there has been little research into how the Renaissance narrative applies to Ottoman visual arts and architecture between Ottoman Istanbul and Renaissance Italy during the period in discussion. This is not due to neglect or oversight, but is rather a conscious decision to avoid 'sameness' with the 'other'. This study aims to explore the dynamism of Renaissance cultural interconnectedness where cultures worked both independently and collaboratively to create beautiful and inspirational works exemplified by the Mediterranean Renaissance.The Ottoman Renaissance: Historical Context.