Image credits.

Every picture on this site is in the public domain. Here is what each one is, where it came from, and why it hangs where it does.

01
Portrait medal of Sultan Mehmed II
Portrait medal of Sultan Mehmed II, Bertoldo di Giovanni, Model 1480
The Ottomans called their state devlet-i ebed-müddet: the state everlasting.
02
Planispheric astrolabe
Planispheric astrolabe, Muhammad Zaman al-Munajjim al-Asturlabi, 1654–55
A computer in brass: turn the dials and it works out the hour from the stars.
03
Tile panel
Tile panel, Iznik, second half of the 16th century
One module, repeated with care until it becomes a wall people remember.
04
Tughra of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent
Tughra of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, Istanbul, ca. 1555–60
The sultan's monogram, drawn at the head of every decree: the original brand mark.
05
Procession of Sultan Süleyman through the Atmeidan
Procession of Sultan Süleyman through the Atmeidan, Pieter Coecke van Aelst, 1553
A city's grandest parade, cut as one long frieze: a film strip before film.
06
The Tortoise Trainer
The Tortoise Trainer, Osman Hamdi Bey, 1906
Some things can only be taught slowly.
07
Turban helmet
Turban helmet, Turkish or Iranian, 1478–ca. 1490
Empty, like this page.
08
The Creation of Adam, detail
The Creation of Adam, detail, Michelangelo, ca. 1512
The moment before the work begins.

Credits