Turkish Traditional Art Today

by Henry Glassie

This book presents the living arts and artists of Turkey. It is simultaneously an ethnographic inquiry into the nature of art, an introduction to modern Turkey, and a model study of folk art, combining the current theories of folklore, anthropology, cultural geography, and art history. It is also the most comprehensive analysis yet written of a single artistic tradition and the most complete presentation available of the current practice of the great arts of the Middle East, such as the weaving of carpets and shaping of stately ceramics. Glassie ranges widely across media, but concentrates on calligraphy, woodworking, pottery, and carpet weaving. Throughout his focus is on the artists and their theories and practices as well as the art they produce.

947 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Dilara Inam · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most comprehensive books on Turkish traditional art. Even though he explains the distinction between folk art and fine arts in the Turkish context, I will continue by saying folk art.

This study which is based on ten years-long ethnography tries to find the essence of the Turkish folk art. While doing this, it is important to see how Glassie appreciates folk art and also the artist who was neglected for folk art studies beforehand. The artist and individuality gain importance in Henry's work but he keeps trying to make a general statement about Turkish folk art.

This is not only a beneficial guide for folk art in Turkey, Ottoman or Seljuks but also an extremely important example of the ethnography in Folklore or Anthropology. Glassie selects words, translates the meanings, understands and clearly writes all his experiences into words which is a unique talent of him.

The Turkish folk art is about devotion, appreciation, perfection, unity and the book also follows these concepts within its best.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous well done and crafted book on traditional Turkish art. I learned a great deal and the passion that the writers have for these arts is clear. Many fine examples shown through photographs, bios and stories.