"Black Pen" is a novel written by French author Yasmine Ghata, which follows the traces of a mysterious painter from Central Asia in the late 15th century, blending historical and artistic elements. The novel reinterprets the drawings of this artist, who adopts a style distinct from the traditional Islamic art heritage, within a historical context, and explores themes such as art, mystery, ritual, and oblivion. Based on the miniature works preserved in the Topkapı Palace, the novel presents a fiction-based narrative that explores the identity of an artist.

Subject

The work is built around a fictional narrative that follows the trail of an anonymous artist, known as “Kara Kalem” or “Black Pen,” who lived in the late 15th century. This artist, unlike the idealized and stylized forms of classical Islamic art, drew realistic, harsh, and at times striking figures, deviating radically from the artistic norms of his time. The scenes in his drawings reflect not only the social life of the period but also intertwine with supernatural beliefs, mythological elements, and folk tales specific to that era.

The artist’s influences from nomadic communities, Central Asian folk culture, and Eastern mythologies make him a distinctive figure separated from the traditional canon of Islamic art. With these features, Kara Kalem has left a unique mark in the history of Islamic art; yet, the anonymity of his identity has both obscured and made his legacy all the more intriguing.

The novel is constructed around the “Black Pen Album,” part of the Topkapı Palace collection, which still exists today. The album gathers the artist’s drawings, but the meaning behind them remains unresolved. The narrative unfolds as an exploration into the past of this album. Both speculative questions about the artist’s life and inquiries into the historical significance of his works are central to the storyline.

Themes

Art and Identity

The anonymity of Kara Kalem creates a contrast between the invisibility of the artist and the lasting presence of his works. This invites the reader to question how artistic identity is constructed over time and the place of forgotten artists in collective memory. The narrative emphasizes not personal identity, but the enduring power of art itself.

Islamic Art and Non-Aesthetic Approaches

Kara Kalem’s drawings, unlike the abstract and stylized tradition of classical Islamic art, display a more realistic and figurative style. The novel explores how art that falls outside normative aesthetic frameworks is perceived and categorized in art history.

Mythology, Ritual, and Demonic Imagery

The fantastic creatures, demonic figures, and dark ceremonial scenes depicted in the album are associated with the mythological narratives, folk beliefs, and ritual practices of the time. These elements carry layers of meaning, both artistically and culturally.

Topkapı Palace as a Site of Memory

The preservation of the album in Topkapı Palace underscores the palace not only as a physical archive for artwork but also as a symbolic site of historical and cultural memory. The palace is portrayed as a silent witness to the past.

Visibility and Oblivion

The contradiction between the forgotten artist and the survival of his works challenges the selectivity of historical records. The novel inverts the concept of visibility, suggesting that even those who remain unseen can leave powerful and lasting impacts.