Sheikh Hamdullah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sheikh Hamdullah
Stills for a Qur'an copy in Naskh style script, by Şeyh Hamdullah
Born	Hamdullah 1436 Amasya, Ottoman Empire
Died	1520 (aged 83–84) Istanbul, Ottoman Empire
Known for	Islamic calligraphy

Sheikh Hamdullah (born 1436, died 1520) was a super famous artist from the Ottoman Empire. He was known as a master of Islamic calligraphy, which is the art of beautiful writing. He was born in a city called Amasya.

The Life of Sheikh Hamdullah

Sheikh Hamdullah was born in Amasya, a town in what is now Turkey. His father, Mustafa Dede, was a religious leader who had moved from Bukhara (in modern-day Uzbekistan).

In Amasya, Hamdullah learned six different writing styles. His teacher was Hayreddin Mar'asi. He tried to copy the old masters, but it was hard. While studying, he met Bâyezïd, who was the son of the powerful Sultan Mehmed. They became good friends.

When Bâyezïd became the Sultan in 1481, he invited his friend Sheikh Hamdullah to the capital city, Istanbul. Hamdullah then became the main calligrapher for the Sultan at the Imperial Palace.

In 1485, Sultan Bâyezïd II got seven artworks by a famous calligrapher named Yaqut al-Musta'simi. The Sultan wanted Hamdullah to create a new writing style, inspired by these works. Hamdullah thought al-Musta'simi's work was perfect and couldn't be made better. But the Sultan insisted, so Hamdullah agreed. Some experts think the Sultan wanted a new style to show he was starting a new empire and a new ruling family.

Hamdullah spent some time alone, thinking. He later said that a prophet appeared to him in a dream and taught him new ways to write. He made the nashk style of calligraphy much more elegant and easy to read. This style was first created by Yaqut al-Musta'simi.

From the year 1500, most copies of the Quran started using Hamdullah's new style. It became known as the Ottoman style or "Seyh's manner." Because of this, he is often called the "father of Ottoman calligraphy." His many students helped spread his style all over the Ottoman Empire. His way of writing was popular for 150 years. This makes him one of the greatest Ottoman calligraphers ever. Even two centuries later, students like Hâfiz Osman carefully copied his works to learn.

Sheikh Hamdullah spent his whole life on the art of calligraphy. He kept creating beautiful works even when he was in his 80s. He made 47 copies of the Quran and many other religious books. Some of his works are kept in the Topkapi Palace. His beautiful writing also decorates mosques in Istanbul and Erdine.

His son, Mawlana Dede Chalabi, also became a calligrapher. He learned from his father. Hamdullah's daughter, whose name we don't know, married another calligrapher. He was also one of her father's students. Hamdullah's grandsons also became calligraphers.

As Hamdullah became more famous, people started telling stories about his other talents. They said he was a great archer, a skilled falconer, a strong swimmer, and even an amazing tailor!

He passed away in Istanbul in 1520. He was buried in the Karacaahmet Cemetery. You can still see examples of his amazing work in the Topkapi Collection today.

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  Calligraphies by Şeyh Hamdullah from a calligraphic album

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  A page from a calligraphic album

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  A page of Ottoman Calligraphy by Sheikh Hamdullah

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  A page of pen exercises by Sheikh Hamdullah

Sheikh Hamdullah's Lasting Impact

In the 1500s and 1600s, special books were written about the family trees of calligraphers. These books showed how teachers and students were connected. They always traced the line back to Sheikh Hamdullah. He was seen as the first and most important Ottoman calligrapher. These "family trees" of calligraphers are still published today.

Many books talk about how important he was. For example, Epic Deeds of Artists by Mustafa Âlî, published in 1587, mentions him. Other books like The Rose-garden of Proper Conduct and Genealogy of the Scribes also show his lasting influence. These books help us understand how his style shaped calligraphy for centuries.

See also

• Culture of the Ottoman Empire
• Islamic art
• Islamic calligraphy
• List of Ottoman calligraphers
• Ottoman art