Zühtü Müridoğlu’s unfinished work completed: Unveiling held
A sculpture prepared by Zühtü Müridoğlu, one of the first generation of sculptors of the Republican era, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, has been completed as a bronze casting by Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in commemoration of the Republic’s 100th anniversary.
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The Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture hosted the unveiling of the sculpture, which was presented to art lovers at a reception hosted by Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Rector Prof. Dr. Handan İnci.
At the event, attended by prominent figures from the worlds of business, art, and society, the impact and importance of art on the future of societies were discussed.
The 100th-anniversary sculpture, which has been reunited with the public and was inspired by the columns created during the Roman period to commemorate victories and commanders, awaits visitors in front of the MSGSÜ Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture.
ABOUT ZÜHTÜ MÜRİDOĞLU
Zühtü Müridoğlu was among the first generation of artists in the history of the Republic to receive formal sculpture training and be sent abroad. Born in 1906, the artist became a student at the Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi (School of Fine Arts) in 1924. Under the guidance of İhsan Özsoy, he decided to focus on sculpture.
After completing his education at the Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi in 1928, Müridoğlu won a European scholarship and went to Paris.
After returning to Türkiye, the artist was appointed as a sculptor at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in 1936 and held numerous exhibitions. He became a pioneering figure in Turkish sculpture. The artist, who created monumental sculptures, most notably the 'Osman Hamdi Bey Bust,' also contributed to the Anıtkabir reliefs and created the Dumlupınar Monument, the Muş Atatürk Monument, and the Büyükada Atatürk Monument.
Müridoğlu had designed a sculpture for the 50th anniversary of the Republic, but due to budget constraints, he was unable to have it cast in bronze. Fifty years later, support was provided to complete the construction of this meaningful sculpture in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Republic. The sculpture was prepared as a bronze casting.