The Art of

Ebru
• Ebru is the ancient Turkish art of
marbling - creating colorful
patterns by sprinkling &
brushing pigments on water,
which are transferred to paper.
Highly regarded, it is on
UNESCO’s intangible cultural
heritage list. Today the tradition
continues...
•The art of Ebru has a long history that
predates the Islamic period. With its
roots in Turkistan, the art came to the
Uighurs before being perfected by the
Ottomans.

• As one of the most popular Islamic

arts in Turkey, it is even more
widespread today than it was in the
past. The word Ebru etymologically,
comes from the Persian word Ebru
meaning "nebular, cloudlike." Due to
its wavy, nebular appearance, it is
called "marbling" in Europe.
• The first examples of Ebru date back to eighth-century China.
From China, it spread to Japan in the east & Turkistan, Iran &
Turkey in the west. In the 13th century during the Ottoman
period, Turkish calligraphers & artists created new forms of Ebru,
and perfected techniques.
• In traditional Ebru, paint is dripped onto the surface of water &
a fine brush or metal comb is used to create marbled patterns.
After a pattern is created, a piece of paper is laid on the surface
of the water. The paint adheres to the paper, creating a marbled
masterpiece.
• The Ebru technique consists of sprinkling colors containing a few
drops of ox-gall on to the water surface with kitre (gum
tragacanth) in a trough. By carefully laying the paper over the
bath, the floating picture on top of it is readily transferred to the
paper.
• To obtain beautiful Ebru results, an artist needs to have a light
hand, refined taste, and an open mind to the unexpected patterns
forming on the water. Patience and a good knowledge of
traditional culture are characteristic of Ebru masters.
• Ebru artists play a crucial role for the
practice and transmission of the
artform. They have the responsibility
of transmitting their specialized
knowledge from one generation to
another mainly within the master and
apprentice relationship.
• The art of Ebru is unique because it
cannot be imitated or replicated.
Every piece is unique thanks to the
artist's technique; however, the
techniques and styles have a history
in themselves.