Ottoman Motifs in the Art of Marbling with 25 Original Samples of Marbled Papers (2003)

The Turkish marbling technique of ebru originated in Central Asia, but is most familiar to the West as a marbling practice perfected in Istanbul and allows the artist to create dynamic colors and patterns.  In the seven examples exhibited here from Nedim and Nuran Sönmez’s 2003 Ottoman Motifs in the Art of Marbling with 25 Original Samples of Marbled Papers, of Which One is the Cover Jacket shows how a primary color like blue is juxtaposed with yellow, green, and rose.  In floral illustrations of tulips and roses, the intricacy of the artists’ skill allows the viewer to imagine the movement of blue across the paper.