Mehmed Shevki Efendi (; Modern Turkish: Mehmed Şevki Efendi; 1829 Kastamonu–1887 Istanbul) was a prominent Ottoman calligrapher. He is known for his Thuluth-Naskh works, and his style developed into the Shevki Mektebi school, which many contemporary calligraphers in the style take as a reference.Mehmed Şevkı Efendi'nin Sülüs-Nesih Hat Meşkleri, IRCICA, İstanbul, 2010
Life and career Born in Kastamonu, a town near the Black Sea, in 1829, Mehmed Shevki Efendi was the son of Ahmad Agha from Tajc."Calligrapher Mehmed Şevki Efendi", Online:(translated from Turkish); Turkish Biographical Index, Walter de Gruyter, 2011, p. 678 He was sent to Istanbul at a young age, where he was raised by his uncle.
He received his earliest formal training from his uncle, Mehmed Hulûsi Efendi (d. 1894) and obtained a Diploma at the age of fourteen. He was trained in the thuluth and the naskh scripts. Later, his uncle wanted him to study with a more experienced master and sought to apprentice him to Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi. However, the boy refused to study with any master, other than his uncle. Ultimately, he taught himself advanced techniques from calligraphic works of Hâfiz Osman and other great calligraphers. By remaining with his uncle, rather than joining a different school, Mehmed Şevkî had the freedom to develop his own style.M. Uğur Derman, Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakıp Sabancı Collection, N.Y., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998, p. 124 This style became known as û Şevki mektebi eb."Mehmed Şevkî Efendi" [Biographical Notes], Islam Encyclopedia Online Online: He certified a number of calligraphers, who went on to enjoy exceptional careers including Mohammad Hosni.
Şevkî Efendi was the last in a long line of calligraphers, beginning with Sheikh Hamdullah in the 15th century, who refined and improved the sülüs and naskh scripts. He achieved a "height of perfection never attained previously, nor surpassed since."M. Uğur Derman, Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakıp Sabancı Collection, N.Y., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998, p. 20
He taught penmanship in the Ministry of War, where he trained military scribes and also worked in several schools.Bloom, J. and Blair, S.S. (eds), Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture, Volume 1, Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 475 He also taught calligraphy to the sons of Sultan Abdulhamid II.M. Uğur Derman, Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakıp Sabancı Collection, N.Y., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998, p. 124
He died on 7 May 1887 following a stroke and was buried next to his uncle, Hulûsi Efendi, in the Merkezefendi Cemetery. He was survived by three daughters and a son."Mehmed Şevkî Efendi" [Biographical Notes], Islam Encyclopedia Online Online:; "Calligrapher Mehmed Şevki Efendi", Online: (translated from Turkish)
Work He wrote 25 copies of the Quran and also produced many personal prayer books.M. Uğur Derman, Letters in Gold: Ottoman Calligraphy from the Sakıp Sabancı Collection, N.Y., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998, p. 124 He is the author of the work, The Thuluth & Naskh Mashqs. Mehmed Şevkî Efendi and Mohammed Tamimi (editor),The Thuluth & Naskh Mashqs, reprinted in 2010 His work also includes calligraphic compositions, which he signed "Muhammed Shawki".Bloom, J. and Blair, S.S. (eds), Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture, Volume 1, Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 475; Christies Auctions, Online:
See also Culture of the Ottoman Empire Islamic calligraphy List of Ottoman calligraphers Ottoman art
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