Our Day of Special Interest, by Dr Antonia Gatward Cevizli, will focus on the transformation of Istanbul from its conquest by Sultan Mehmed II through its Golden Age under Süleyman the Magnificent and beyond.
Our day will consist of three lectures:
Lecture 1: “The Conquest of Constantinople and the Making of Istanbul”
Lecture 2: “Treasures of Ottoman Istanbul: Süleyman the Magnificent's Era and Beyond”
Lecture 3: “Carnations, Tulips and Hyacinths: The Story of Turkey's Iznik Ceramics”
In our opening lecture The Conquest of Constantinople and the Making of Istanbul we learn about the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II who, in 1453, conquered the mich-coveted city of Constantinople and set about transforming it into his imperial capital. This lecture considers his approach to the existing monuments of the city and the earliest examples of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul including the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Our second lecture, Treasures of Ottoman Istanbul: Süleyman the Magnificent's Era and Beyond we learn that the Ottoman Empire was at the peak of its power during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. Money was pouring into the Ottoman capital and being invested in architecture, ceramics, textiles and manuscripts. This lecture focuses on some of the treasures of this period. We will also move beyond Süleyman's era and discuss the Blue Mosque and the ostentatious Dolmabahce Palace. We will think about the sultans who built these monuments and how they communicated ideas about themselves, their power and their place in the world.
In our final lecture, Carnations, Tulips and Hyacinths: The Story of Turkey's Iznik Ceramics you are invited to immerse yourself in a world of carnations, tulips, hyacinths and roses as you discover the history of Turkey's famous Iznik ceramics. From its origins imitating Chinese porcelain to its 16th century heyday and subsequent decline.
And finally, it is also worth noting that our Day of Special Interest will make an ideal accompaniment to the exhibition "Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empire" as it explores one of these empires. The exhibition will be showing t the V&A South Kensington from November 2026 to May 2027.
Dr Antonia Gatward Cevizli is an independent art historian specialising in both Italian Renaissance art and Ottoman art. She gained her PhD from the University of Warwick. Her publications focus on cultural and diplomatic exchange between Italian city-states and the Ottoman. Antonia has lectured for a number of institutions including Sabanci University, Istanbul; Sotheby's Institute of Art; the National Gallery; the V&A Academy and The Courtauld summer school. Her interest are wide-ranging and she also worked across the collections at both Tate Modern and Tate Britain as a professional guide. She has lived in Siena, Venice and Istanbul.
Awards, Qualifications: PhD in History of Art; MA History of Art (Venice specialism) Distinction; BA Hons History of Art and Italian (1st Class with Distinction in spoken Italian)
This study day focuses on the transformation of Istanbul from its conquest by Sultan Mehmed II through to its Golden Age under Suleyman the Magnificent and beyond.
More information and how to register for a place will be made available 21st September 2026