47 YEARS DEVOTED TO ART
Born in Üsküdar in 1858, Ali Rıza Bey gave evidence even as a child of his talent for painting and drawing. A major part in this was certainly played by his father’s involvement with calligraphy. Ali Rıza Bey’s interest in painting began at the Üsküdar Grammar School, carried over to his years at the Kuleli Military High School, and continued while he was at the Military Academy. During this time he received instruction from such distinguished teachers as Osman Nuri Pasha, Süleyman Seyyid and Monsieur Gués. In 1884 he graduated from the Military Academy with the rank of lieutenant and was assigned to help Osman Nuri Pasha as an ‘Assistant Teacher of Painting.’ In 1911 he retired from the army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, having served from 1909 to 1912 in such important positions as President of the Society of Ottoman Painters. A career in education and art that spanned forty-seven years saw the artist paint landscapes, still lifes and imaginary works using such media as charcoal, pastel, watercolor and oil. In the course of training countless students he was always modest, patient and tolerant, traits