Ebru

Ebru, also known as paper marbling, is a traditional Turkish art. Ebru artists brush or sprinkle pigment into a pan of oily water. Before adding the pigments to the water, the artist mixes them with a small amount of a natural acid called ox-gall. The pigments float on the oil and swirl to create patterns. The patterns created are then transferred to paper. The name ebru literally means water surface. Eb means water and ru means surface. 

Some believe the name came from the Chagatay-Turkish word 'ebre' meaning "veined, irregular in color," and others believe it is from the Persian word for cloud, 'ebri,' (Sönmez).

Ebru designs often feature flowers and other plants, moons, mosques, latticework, or abstract ornamental designs. Ebru is used for decoration, calligraphy, and in traditional bookbinding. 

According to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, "Ebru artists, apprentices and practitioners consider their art to be an integral part of their traditional culture, identity and lifestyle. Their knowledge and skills, as well as the philosophy behind this art, are transmitted orally and through informal practical training within master-apprentice relationships." Turkish ebru was inscribed in 2014 on the UNESCO Representative List.

Unlike many folk arts, ebru is made by anyone regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. The art of ebru "plays a significant role in the empowerment of women and the improvement of community relationships. The collective art of Ebru encourages dialogue through friendly conversation, reinforces social ties and strengthens relations between individuals and communities" (UNESCO).

Brief History

The origins of ebru, including time and place, are still unknown. The earliest evidence of ebru is in the first half of the 16th century (Sönmez). These are light blue in color and have spontaneous patterns. According to Sönmez, the first ebru workshops were created in Istanbul between 1562 and 1575. The first written record of the term "Turkish paper" is from 1586.

Ebru was used for calligraphy or for decorating manuscript collections. It developed into an independent art form over time. The oldest known marbler is Şebek Mekhmed Efendi, whose name appeared in an ebru recipe book in 1608, though he was already deceased by the time of the book's publication. This book is potentially the first example of classical and intentional Turkish ebru patterns (Sönmez).

Yazılı ebru is a traditional calligraphy method that uses a gum arabic resist masking, which is applied before marbling the paper. The method was invented by ebru artist and calligrapher Necmeddin Okyay (1885–1976).

Materials

Ebru artists use special brushes in their work. The bristles are traditionally made of horsehair and the handles are made of rose wood.

Ox-gall is a natural acid. It helps the final design adhere to the paper and helps keep the pigments on the water.

Traditional ebru pigments are made with organic materials, including pigments from stones, that do not dissolve in water. Pigment agents are mixed with distilled water. Read more about the process of making traditional ebru pigments.

White: white lead

Yellow: ochre, sulphur arsenic

Blue: indigo

Red: iron-oxide clay/soil

Black: Soot

Patterns

There are endless possibilities for patterns when creating ebru. However, some of the classically Turkish patterns from the 16th and 17th centuries, according to Sönmez, include those found below. You can learn about more ebru patterns here.

Ebru Today

When you think of traditional Turkish paper marbling, US music festivals are probably not the first thing that come to mind. However, a new trend has appeared in festival culture, body marbling. It's basically ebru for your skin.

People prime their skin with a salt solution, then stick their arms or legs into a skin-safe acrylic paint tray that looks just like those used for ebru. Marie-Claire Magazine calls the trend the brainchild of body painting company Black Light Visuals, which trademarked the term in 2011.

Works Cited and Suggested Reading

Sönmez, Nedim. EBRU-The Turkish Art of Marbling. Verlad Anadolu, 1996.

Wolfe, Richard J. Marbled Paper: Its History, Techniques, and Patterns: With Special Reference to the Relationship of Marbling to Bookbinding in Europe and the Western World. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1990.