İsmail Zühdi Efendi: A Master of Ottoman Calligraphy İsmail Zühdi Efendi, a towering figure in the history of Ottoman calligraphy—often referred to as Yeni İsmail Zühdi—stands apart from other calligraphers bearing his name through an early period. Born around 1769 in Urfa (modern Şanlıurfa), Turkey, he emerged during a time of significant artistic innovation and cultural flourishing within the Ottoman Empire. His father, Mehmed Kaptan, recognized his son’s innate talent for writing and ensured he received a rigorous education focused on mastering the Qurʾan script—a cornerstone of Islamic s…