Early Life and Artistic Beginnings Born in 1858 in the quiet district of Üsküdar, just north of Constantinople (now Istanbul), Hoca Ali Rıza’s early life was steeped in a rich cultural heritage. His father, a cavalry major with an appreciation for calligraphy, instilled in him a deep respect for artistic traditions. This familial influence, combined with his own innate curiosity and a fortunate encounter with Colonel Süleyman Seyyid, a returning art student from France, set the stage for Rıza’s remarkable journey into the world of painting. The military academy provided him with a found…