Alexandre M. Raymond, Murad Ii Madrasa Portal, Bursa 1924, Paper

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Antique ottoman architecture print, murad ii madrasa portal, bursa 1924 this original architectural plate illustrates the imposing entrance portal and … Read more Antique ottoman architecture print, murad ii madrasa portal, bursa 1924 this original architectural plate illustrates the imposing entrance portal and façade of the medrese of sultan murad ii in bursa, completed in 1447 during the flourishing early ottoman period. Issued as plate 28 in alexandre m. Raymond's monumental publication l'art islamique en orient – iie partie, the work belongs to one of the most important scholarly surveys of islamic architecture produced during the early twentieth century. The sheet presents both a detailed elevation of the principal entrance at a scale of 1:10 and a broader architectural view of the madrasa façade. Raymond meticulously records the harmonious proportions, alternating stone courses, geometric brick ornament, and the pointed entrance arch characteristic of fifteenth-century ottoman design. The restrained elegance of the structure reflects the transition from seljuk architectural traditions toward the more refined and balanced aesthetic that would later define classical ottoman architecture. Sultan murad ii, father of mehmed the conqueror, was an important patron of learning, religion, and the arts. His foundations in bursa helped maintain the city's position as a leading intellectual and spiritual center even after the ottoman capital moved to edirne. The madrasa depicted here served as both an educational institution and a monument to imperial patronage, embodying the close relationship between scholarship, architecture, and statecraft in the ottoman world. Alexandre m. Raymond devoted years to documenting anatolian monuments with extraordinary precision. His architectural renderings preserve details that are invaluable to historians and restorers while simultaneously possessing a strong decorative appeal. The subtle palette of pale greys, warm creams, and delicate terracotta accents lends the print a refined, almost watercolor-like character, making it exceptionally suitable for interior display. The print is entirely original and dates from 1924. It is sold unframed; any framed examples shown elsewhere are intended solely as visual inspiration. Condition: good original condition with mild age toning, scattered foxing in the margins, and minor handling wear consistent with age. The image remains clean and well-preserved with strong contrast and delicate original coloration. Framing tips: this architectural study pairs beautifully with a wide ivory mat and a dark walnut, ebonized, or ottoman-inspired frame. Museum glass is recommended to enhance the subtle tonal variations and protect the sheet from ultraviolet exposure. The horizontal façade study at the bottom provides an elegant balance that benefits from generous margins when framed. Keywords: bursa, murad ii, sultan murad ii, ottoman madrasa, medrese, islamic architecture, ottoman education, anatolian monuments, turkish heritage, ottoman ornament, seljuk influence, islamic decorative arts, architectural elevation, alexandre raymond, l'art islamique en orient, bursa monuments, fifteenth century architecture, ottoman portal, islamic archaeology, antique architectural print, turkish islamic art, 1924 lithograph. Technique: lithograph with printed colour. Maker: alexandre m. Raymond, french architect and scholar of islamic architecture, paris, 1924. See less