The Tortoise Trainer

The painting introduced as “L’homme aux Tortues” in the Salon exhibition organized by Société des Artistes Français on 1 May 1906 in Paris, and briefly referred to in English as “Tortoises” in one of the exhibition catalogues, is none other than Osman Hamdi Bey’s famous work that has come to be known as the “Tortoise Trainer.” The date “1906” on the painting suggests that the painting was completed in the early months of that year in order to be included in the exhibition held in May. Osman Hamdi executed another painting of the same composition in a smaller scale, though withsome differences in detail. This second version includes a dedication by Osman Hamdi Bey tohis in-law Salih Münir Paşa.

In the scene by Osman Hamdi, we see a male figure in oriental attire, pensively watching the tortoises eating the greenery on the floor. He holds a ney in his hand and carries a percussion instrument –possibly nakkare or kudüm– on his back. The pediment of the lancet window in front of which he stands bears the following inscription: “Closeness to the beloved (Muhammad), healing to the heart.” Frequently appearing in other paintings by the artist, the upper room of Bursa’s Yeşil Cami (Green Mosque) is used as the space in this work. Similarly, the figure is modeled after Osman Hamdi himself. While the instruments he carries might suggest that he is a dervish, hisheadgear is strikingly similar to the headgear of “Kurd of Mardin,” which is described in Elbise-i Osmaniye as “felt kalpak wrapped in kerchiefs.” It is known that during the time he spent in Vienna, Osman Hamdi had several photographs taken in this costume. As often encountered in his other paintings, the artist must have used various photographs for the details of figure and space.