The National Palaces Painting Museum is restoring the “Family Tree” painting, which dates back to the era of Sultan Abdulhamid I. In the capable hands of the National Palaces Painting Restoration and Conservation Workshop, this 18th-century masterpiece is undergoing meticulous refurbishment.
Hatice Biga, Supervisor of the National Palaces Painting Restoration and Conservation Workshop, provided insights into the artwork, stating, “The sultan portraits are depicted in medallions, tied together with ribbons on a tree. The Blue Mosque and its location are depicted in the background of the family tree composition.”
Preparations for displaying works at the National Palaces Painting Museum are in progress, with the restoration of the “Family Tree” painting at the forefront. A dedicated team of eight experts is meticulously working on this painting, one of three “family tree” themed works created during Sultan Abdulhamid I’s reign.
While the other two paintings from this series, with minor differences, are located abroad, the current focus is on the 18th-century masterpiece. During Sultan Abdulhamid I’s reign, these works featured sultan portraits in medallion frames adorning the branches of a tree that covered the entire composition. Ribbons elegantly tied the portraits together, with Osman Gazi at the top and Sultan Abdulhamid I at the bottom. The background showcases a view of the Sultanahmet Mosque.
The restoration process, initiated approximately two months ago, aims to complete the intricate work within a year. Once restored, the “Family Tree” painting will find its place in the National Palaces Painting Museum, adding to the rich cultural heritage preserved by this institution.
Biga added, “Before the works arrive at the workshop, their restoration plans are made according to deterioration. The works are transported to the workshop.”
This is how the process began within this painting, too. It needs restoration. After arriving at the workshop, a documentation study is carried out to determine its condition, she said noting that the documentation is made in the first stage by taking microscope shots, shooting with general light and many techniques.
“Then the restoration process begins. We are working with a team of eight people for the restoration. After the restoration is finished, it is transported to the place where it will be displayed. We think the restoration of this painting will take one year,” Biga said.
