Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)

Ord. Prof. Dr. Süheyl Ünver (1898–1986), regarded as one of the monumental figures of Turkish cultural history, possessed a multi-layered identity extending from medicine to art and art history. In addition to serving as a bridge that carried the artistic heritage of the Ottoman Empire into the twentieth century, he revitalized the magnificent arts of the past and, in a sense, became a source of renewal for them. The principal objective of his artistic career was the continuation of a civilizational mobilization built upon the recording of what had been lost and the remembrance and revival of what had been forgotten. Following in his footsteps, an awareness of transmitting the spirit of art was acquired through long yet profoundly enjoyable cultural journeys undertaken with him. The opportunity to collaborate with him and his esteemed daughter, Gülbün Mesara, in various artistic activities has always been regarded as a great honor. Within the efforts to trace the arts unique to our civilization, the environments in which Istanbul’s history and beauties were explored—amid a demanding yet invigorating cultural tempo—constituted some of the most exceptional moments in life. Among the numerous studies occasionally conducted on works belonging to our cultural heritage, research on gravestones held a significant place.