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The "Turtle Trainer" is one of Osman Hamdi Bey's most famous and creative works.It gives this basic social message that change is difficult, requiring much patience, in fact the patience of a sufi dervish. The five turtles in this portrait symbolize a stubborn, resistant and slow changing society. The turtle trainer, dressed in a red dervish robe and a turban, holding a ney (sufi flute) is Osman Hamdi. He hopes to teach primarily by blowing his ney and occasionally by using it to train the animals.They were trained for lightening by being placed the candle on their shells.Actually,Osman Hamdi wanted people to illuminate themselves.Unfortunately, the turtles have no ears to hear the ney and with a thick protective shell they are also not bothered by his prodding. His efforts are futile.
The painting was made in 1906 and during these years,Ottoman Empire was in The Tulip Era.Osman Hamdi was one of the empire administrators.Although training turtles is very difficult,he made effort patiently.Nevertheless,he didn't get turtles as well as people to do what he wanted.So,he was cross and turned back to the portrait.
We chose this painting because it can be seen simple but it has a deep meaning.It is a sarcastic work.Because Osman Hamdi criticizes both public and government.
