Raquy Danziger is a world famous darbuka drummer who discovered Ottoman painting while living in Istanbul.
As a student of Nazan Barbercioglu at the Klasik Sanat art academy in Istanbul for three years, Raquy has explored the ancient techniques of decorating sacred documents in gold. This intricate and meticulous process requires a deep understanding of the materials and techniques used by ancient artisans. Through the guidance of her master teacher, Raquy has been able to bring these ancient techniques to life in her own artwork.
Each painting tells a story, inviting viewers to delve into the rich history and symbolism behind each piece. Themes include henna hands, camels, demons, dragons, Ottoman characters, biblical characters, puppets, geometrical shapes, musical instruments, medallions, music, maps, Jaffa, Jerusalem and Istanbul.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Raquy's work is her creation of illuminated music manuscripts. Inspired by the style typically used for text manuscripts, these paintings showcase excerpts from Raquy’s own melodic compositions, thus organically combining her two beloved art forms.
Raquy's innovative use of Islamic art techniques in Judaica is a true testament to the beauty and compatibility of cultures, inviting us all to appreciate the similarities of our shared human experience.
Raquy's art features two different styles of Ottoman painting:
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Tezhip - Sacred Illumination Painting
Turkish or Ottoman illumination is decorative art that uses golden motifs to embellish books. In Turkish it is called “tezhip”, meaning “ornamenting with gold”.
The motifs consisted of Rumi, (animal-like shapes), Saz Yolu, Penc, Hatai, roses, leaf motifs, flowers, Munhani (gradient colored curve motifs), and geometric shapes and patterns.
Miniature
Ottoman miniature is a Turkish art form that depicts characters and scenes from the past, offering a window into how people lived. The painting is intricate and stylized. Some miniature paintings depict panoramic views of landscapes and cities painted with great detail.