Turkish Red: The Five-Century Memory of a Color and Story of Industrial Espionage

By Prof. Dr. Recep Karadağ
Cultural Heritage Preservation and Natural Dyes Project
İstanbul Aydın University
Turkish Cultural Foundation DATU

Some colors that have survived the depths of history represent not only aesthetic traces but also cultural identity, technological knowledge, and economic value. One such color is Turkish Red, known in Western literature as Turkish Red. This extraordinary color, shaped by the artisans of the Ottoman Empire, emerged in the 16th century in centers like Izmir, Bursa, Edirne, Balikesir, and Ankara. It mesmerized Europe, contributed to the Industrial Revolution, and was finally revived through modem scientific methods.
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