Master of Ottoman Illumination

The art of gold on paper

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For more than thirty years, Aysel Toprak has practiced tezhip — the classical Ottoman art of illuminating manuscripts and calligraphy with burnished gold, hand-ground pigments and geometric and floral ornament. Alongside illumination she works in ebru marbling, miniature painting and hand-painted çini.

View the Works Exhibitions & Workshops
Illuminated panel with deep red ground and burnished gold ornament
Tezhip · gold leaf & natural pigments
Portrait of Aysel Toprak Aysel Toprak Aysel Toprak
The Artist

Aysel Toprak

“Tezhip is patience made visible — every leaf of gold is laid by hand, one breath at a time.”quote to confirm

Aysel Toprak is a Turkish master illuminator (müzehhibe) working in the classical tradition of the Ottoman court ateliers. Her practice centers on tezhip (illumination) — including the illumination of hilye-i şerif and of calligraphic panels written by master calligraphers — together with ebru (marbling), minyatür (miniature painting) and hand-painted çini ceramics.

Working with 22–24 karat gold leaf, shell gold and mineral pigments prepared by hand, she builds each composition through the traditional sequence of pattern drawing, pouncing, gilding, burnishing and fine outlining with brushes of a few hairs. Her work has been shown in exhibitions in Türkiye and is held in private collections.

Detailed biography, education and master lineage (icazet) will be added from the artist information form.to complete

30+Years of practice
4Classical arts
22–24kGold leaf

Four classical arts

Each piece is made entirely by hand, following methods passed from master to apprentice for over five centuries.

Floral illumination border
Tezhip

Illumination

Gold and pigment ornament — rumi, hatai and bulut motifs — that frames and honors the written word.

Ebru photo to add
Ebru

Marbling

Pigments floated on thickened water and lifted onto paper — every sheet a single, unrepeatable moment.

Miniature painting with Galata Tower and blossoming branches
Minyatür

Miniature

Fine-brush painting in the Ottoman miniature tradition — cityscapes, flowers and storytelling in jewel-like color.

Çini photo to add
Çini

Ceramics

Plates and tiles hand-painted with İznik-inspired tulips, carnations and saz leaves, then glazed and fired.

Selected Works

Portfolio

Original illuminations and hilye compositions. Select any work to view it larger.

Calligraphy in these panels is by master calligraphers (hattat); Aysel Toprak is the illuminator. Calligrapher credits are noted per work.credits to add

Exhibitions

On the walls

Moments from past exhibitions. Upcoming shows and workshops in the United States will be announced here.

Aysel Toprak with her work at an exhibition
The artist with her work
Exhibition opening ribbon cutting
Exhibition opening
Visitors at the exhibition
With guests and fellow artists
SoonExhibitions & workshops in the United StatesTo be announced
—Past exhibitions (titles, venues, cities)to completeTürkiye
Traditional building housing the atelier
Atelier & Teaching

Learning by the master's hand

Tezhip has always been taught in the atelier, side by side. Aysel Toprak offers introductory and advanced workshops for those who want to experience the discipline firsthand.

  • Introduction to tezhip — drawing a classical rumi motif
  • Gold leaf application and burnishing
  • Ebru marbling and miniature painting sessions
  • Lectures on the history of Ottoman book arts
  • Live demonstrations for museums, universities and cultural centers
Contact

Collect · Exhibit · Learn

For acquisitions, commissions, exhibition proposals and workshop invitations.

Collectors

Original works, commissions and fine-art giclée prints by Aysel Toprak are available through Artista Noble.

artistanoble.etsy.com

Institutions

Galleries, museums and universities interested in exhibitions or residencies.

info@ayseltoprak.com

Workshops

Group and private workshops, demonstrations and lectures in the U.S.

Philadelphia, PA