The Girl on the Beach

İzzet Ziya was the son of an eminent Istanbul family. He enrolled at the School of Fine Arts in 1897 and studied under Salvatore Valéri (1857-1946), Leonardo de Mango (1843-1930) and Joseph Warnia Zarzecki (1850 - ?). He graduated with a first class degree in 1903 and went on to pursue his studies in Paris, working under Galip Bey. After returning to Istanbul he worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for magazines. Following the proclamation of the Second Constitution in 1908 he was appointed as court secretary, one of the highest posts at the palace, and succeeded Zonaro as court painter. He participated in the Galatasaray exhibitions. İzzet Ziya was the last Ottoman court painter.

The position of court painter was created during the reign of Abdülmecid (r. 1860-1876) and lasted until the end of the reign of Abdülhamid (r. 1876-1809). These painters were selected by the sultan and as well as painting they served in various functions at court, as art instructors, head of protocol and/or in charge of relations with foreign painters.