Kanuni Sultan Süleyman/Pablo Picasso

Kanuni Sultan Süleyman

Sultan Suleiman, the 10th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the son of Selim II, ascended to the Ottoman throne on November 6, 1494. He initiated a long and influential reign that lasted for 46 years. Known as Suleiman the Magnificent, he is celebrated for leading the Ottoman Empire to its zenith.

In his early years, Suleiman, with the assistance of his famed vizier Ibrahim Pasha, solidified the internal governance of the empire. One of his first major victories was the conquest of Belgrade in 1521, which accelerated the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. Following this, the triumph at the Battle of Mohács in 1526 against King Louis of Hungary resulted in the annexation of a portion of Hungary into the Ottoman Empire.

One of the brightest periods in Suleiman the Magnificent's rule includes the conquest of Egypt in 1517 and events such as the Siege of Rhodes in 1522, where the Ottoman Empire reinforced its dominance in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, Suleiman extended Ottoman influence by organizing naval expeditions as far as the Indian Ocean, controlling maritime trade, and raising the Ottoman flag in the Indian Ocean.

Suleiman the Magnificent not only strengthened the Ottoman Empire militarily and politically but also implemented a series of reforms in state administration. He improved the justice system, updated tax regulations, and embraced a centralist governance approach. Under his patronage, the Ottoman Empire experienced significant cultural and artistic development, with renowned poets, writers, and architects contributing to Ottoman culture.
However, in his later years, particularly during the Ottoman-Safavid Wars and the unsuccessful Siege of Szigetvár in 1566, Suleiman faced challenges that left the Ottoman Empire grappling with internal and external issues.

On September 29, 1566, following the Siege of Szigetvár, Suleiman the Magnificent passed away, leaving a legacy as a great leader in Ottoman history. His death marked the transition of the Ottoman Empire from an expansive period to one of internal issues and decline. Nevertheless, Suleiman the Magnificent's long reign and accomplishments represent a crucial era in Ottoman history.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso, born on October 25, 1881, in the city of Málaga, Spain, and passing away on April 8, 1973, in Mougins, France, was a renowned Spanish painter and sculptor, considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Picasso is recognized as a pioneer of contemporary art and contributed to the development of various important art movements throughout his career.

Picasso's artistic journey is diverse and can be divided into different periods. In the early stages, he went through what is known as the "Blue Period" and the "Rose Period," during which he focused on social issues and dramatic themes. Later on, he joined the "Surrealism" movement that emerged after World War I, producing abstract and dreamlike works.
However, he is most famous for his contributions to the art movement called "Cubism." During this period, objects and figures were fragmented into geometric shapes, utilizing multiple perspectives. One of his most famous works from this period is "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907).

Picasso's works extended beyond painting to sculpture, ceramics, graphic arts, and other mediums. "Guernica" (1937), depicting the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, is one of his iconic paintings that dramatically portrays the horrors of war.
Picasso not only left his mark through his artworks but also profoundly influenced the artistic understanding and norms of his time. He questioned and transformed previous artistic paradigms, making him not just a painter or sculptor but a pioneer of contemporary art.

The constant change and diversity in Picasso's art have had a lasting impact, shaping the world of art not only during his lifetime but also posthumously. His influence continues worldwide, and he remains an important figure in the history of art. Picasso received numerous awards for his contributions to the art world, and he will be remembered as an unforgettable figure in art history.