Mustafa Izzet

(b Tosya, 1801; d Istanbul, 1876). Ottoman calligrapher. He went to Istanbul at a young age and caught the attention of the Ottoman sultan Mahmud II (reg 1808-39), who, on hearing the youth's fine voice, took him into the Topkapi Palace to be trained and educated. He learnt thuluth and naskh scripts from the calligrapher Mustafa Vasif (d 1852), from whom he received a diploma (Turk. icazet). Mustafa Izzet, who was a distinguished musician and became military judge (kadiasker) of Anatolia, tutored Sultan Abdülmecid (reg 1839-61) and granted him an icazet in thuluth. Mustafa Izzet produced 11 copies of the Koran, several books of Koranic quotations and prayers, some 200 calligraphic compositions describing the features and qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (hilye), and panels in a fine naskh in the style of HAFIZ OSMAN. He was also responsible for the large calligraphic roundels that adorn Hagia Sophia and he restored the inscription on the dome (see ISTANBUL, §III, 1(iii)). Among his many pupils were MEHMED SEFIK, Muhsinzade Abdullah (1832-99), Abdullah Zühdü (d 1879), Kayiszade Osman, Arif of Çarsamba (d 1892) and Mehmed Hilmi. A follower of the Nakshbandi order of dervishes, Mustafa Izzet was buried in the graveyard of the Kadiri dervish convent in Tophane, Istanbul.

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