Mert Bürİan

It’s not TMNT’s Splinter. It is the name of Turkey’s most expensive painting done by Osman Hamdi in 1906. Current owner is Suna – İnan Kirac, one of the leading families of Turkey. They acquired it for 5,500,000 TL in 2004 (close to $3,500,000) and they exhibit it at Pera Art Museum (http://www.peramuzesi.org.tr) which they own as well.
The painter Ahmet Hamdi (1842-1910) is known as an archeologist, artist and establisher of first Turkish Museum work. He got his art training from his period’s most talented artists, Gerome and Boulanger during his stay in Paris. He came back to İstanbul and worked for the Imperial Museum, established Art Academy and İstanbul Archeology Museum.

“Turtle Trainer” is Osman Hamdi’s most interesting and unique piece. Within a very simple composition, each element is a symbol for an ironic story. The turtles in the painting are slow, cumbersome and just in search for food representing Osman Hamdi’s co workers who were resisting Osman Hamdi’s innovative ideas. He painted his own as the trainer with his Ney (Flute) hang at his back. He wants to train the turtles by blowing it, but the turtles cannot hear him because they don’t have ears.

I had a chance to visit Pera Museum and seen the original work. It is amazing and majestic with more than three meters of height. If you, by any chance, visit Turkey, make sure you visit Pera Museum. You won’t regret it. If you are interested in buying a copy of it, just contact me on twitter (@mertburian).