Osman

( fl c. 1560-c. 1581). Ottoman illustrator. Osman was the most renowned illustrator of historical manuscripts at the design atelier (Turk. nakkashane) of the Ottoman court during the sultanates of Selim II (reg 1566-74) and Murad III (reg 1574-95), although not one signed work of his is known. Contemporary records attest to his towering reputation at court and the respect in which his work was held by his patrons and artist contemporaries. The earliest works attributed to him are illustrations for a manuscript (Istanbul, Topkapi Pal. Lib., H. 1116) of the Turkish translation of Firdawsi's Shahnama ('Book of kings'), executed between 1560 and 1570. Osman's illustrations for Ahmed Feridun's Nuzhat al-asrar al-akhbar dar safar-i Sigitvar ('Chronicle of the Szigetv?r campaign'; 1568-9; Istanbul, Topkapi Pal. Lib., H. 1339), an account of the last European campaign and death of S?leyman I, present the first fully mature examples of the Ottoman historical style of illustration (see ISLAMIC ART,

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