Hikmet Onat was born in Istanbul as the son of Deniz Binbaşısı Murat Bey. After completing his primary education, he began his studies at the Bahriye Mektebi in 1899 and graduated in 1904 with the rank of second lieutenant. Another source states that he completed his education at the Heybeliada Deniz Harp Okulu in 1903 and served for a time as a deck officer.

Art Education and Years in Paris

After his military education, Hikmet Onat turned to the field of art and became a student of Salvatore Valeri and Joseph Warnia-Zarzecki at the Sanâyi-i Nefîse Mektebi (today’s Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University). In 1910 he won the European Examination and continued his studies in Paris. For four years he worked in the atelier of Fernand Cormon at the Paris Academy of Fine Arts (École des Beaux-Arts).

Career and Return to Türkiye

With the outbreak of the First World War, he returned to Istanbul in 1914. After returning home, he taught drawing at numerous secondary schools including Mekteb-i Sultânî (Galatasaray High School). In 1915 he was appointed to teach charcoal drawing in the preparatory class at Sanâyi-i Nefîse Mektebi, succeeding his former teacher Warnia-Zarzecki, and later became head of the design atelier. He continued teaching at Sanâyi-i Nefîse until 1949.

Artistic Activities and Founding Roles

Hikmet Onat participated in all activities of the Osmanlı Ressamlar Cemiyeti from its founding efforts beginning in 1908. He was also among the founders of the Güzel Sanatlar Birliği in 1908 and participated in its exhibitions. In 1922 he became a founding member of the Güzel Sanatlar Cemiyeti.

He participated in the Galatasaray Exhibitions since their first edition in 1916. In 1917 he worked alongside İbrahim Çallı, Namık İsmail, Sami Yetik, Ali Sami Boyar and Ruhi Arel at the Şişli Atölyesi, established to encourage artists to create works with war themes. Between 1914 and 1918, like other artists of the “1914 generation,” he produced paintings on war and military subjects at the Şişli Atölyesi. His works were also exhibited in the Devlet Resim ve Heykel Sergileri.

Hikmet Onat - Barbarosun Türbesi (Culture Portal)

Exhibitions and Awards

In 1973 and 1974 he received awards for his works. His first solo exhibition was held in Istanbul in 1977, which also became his final exhibition, opened just months before his death.

Death Hikmet Onat died in Istanbul on 13 March 1977.