Abstract:

Ahmet Zeki Kocamemi, one of the most significant artist of the period, went to Europe and trained by renowned master artist Hofmann. After returning to Turkey, Kocamemi involved in the Association of Independant Painters and Sculptors, and spent effort to create a modern national art language based on contemporary modern art of the West. In this article, artist’s nude works painted in the period and to what extent Kocamemi’s nude paintings reflect his master Hofmann’s style and nude paintings are examined. Moreover, why Kocamemi often painted these themes which are opposite to traditional and religious values in that period in Turkey and how he painted these themes in terms of style and subject matter are analyzed on some of his nude works. Thus, it has been understood that how important he is, in terms of creating a national modern art in the direction of the ideal of modernization. Furthermore, it is questioned that how and which method used by artist to appropriate such a reactionary theme to his art, and to what extent Kocamemi’s nude works are unique in terms of subject and form are analyzed. Consequently, as a result of the visual analysis, it is supported that Kocamemi’s nude works are actually appropriated or adapted through translating from visual language of his master Hofmann’s nude works painted in the same theme and genre.

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