Untitled Portrait 

Here is an untitled portrait by Nuri Iyem, created sometime within the artist's lifetime between 1905 and 2005. Iyem was part of the “Onlar Grubu” or “The Group of Ten,” a collective of Turkish artists who moved away from state-endorsed art towards more socially conscious and independent forms of expression. This portrait of a woman, whose head is modestly covered, evokes profound questions about identity, tradition, and representation. Iyem painted in a period of significant social and political change in Turkey, including debates about the role of women in public life. This painting encourages us to consider the gaze, asking who is looking and from what perspective. Consider the nuances of expression in the subject’s eyes and mouth. Does the subject maintain tradition or develop an alternative narrative? This work encourages a reflection on the relationship between personal identity, cultural expectations, and artistic expression, inviting viewers to connect with the depicted subject on a human level.