Türk Resminde Yemek ve Sofra Betimleri ile Osmanlı Mutfağının Dönüşüm Öyküsü (1839-1950)

Abstract

In Ottoman history, the 19th century is a period when tradition gave way to what was new and modern. The changes observed in the political structure of the period indirectly affected the social structure thus creating a breakup in the material culture in particular. The aforementioned changes bring to light some changes in eating habits. Food and eating culture embodies numerous social, economic and cultural situations. It has a significant role in the cultural identity of a society. During the transition process from the Ottoman cuisine to the Republican cuisine, with everyday practices, novelties and contradictions, traditional table manners did not vanish in an instant but continued in society for a long time. In time they vanished from daily life by giving way to modern practices in big cities while continuing their existence in rural regions. The aim of this study on food and eating culture is to substantiate the changes in our eating habits and their social reflections through some distinctive works by Turkish artists which we have chosen. In this study we examine a selection of paintings from the Reform Era (Tanzimat) to the 1950s supported by old food booklets and novels that reveal the food culture of the period. Because of the inclination towards abstract art in Turkish painting after the 1950s and the emergence of conceptual works in the following years, food and table depictions should be studied by means of different indicators. Therefore the process from the 1960s onwards is left out of the scope of this study.