Ali Rıza Hoca

Ali Rıza Hoca (1858-1930)

Ali Rıza born in Üsküdar in 1858, and took his first painting lessons from Osman Nuri Paşa, Süleyman Seyyit and Kez. After graduating from military school as a lieutenant in 1884, he was assigned as assistant to the painting tutor. As a result of health problems, he was unable to further his artistic education abroad. The artist retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1910, taught drawing for 47 years, and produced many students, not only at military schools but also at the Darülşaffaka, Kız Sanay,i Nefise Çamlıca, Üsküdar and Ameli Hayat Kız Schools. The artist died in 1930, leaving more than 300 works to the National Library alone, an indication of his productivity.