In the early 18th century, during the 'Tulip Era' characterized by peace, cultural refinement, and westernizing tendencies in the Ottoman Empire, the art of miniature painting underwent a major transformation. The central figure of this artistic renewal was Abdulcelil Celebi, known by his pseudonym Levni. He was commissioned to illustrate the 'Surname-i Vehbi' (The Book of Festivities), a manuscript written by the poet Seyyid Vehbi describing the lavish 15-day circumcision festival held in 1720 for the four sons of Sultan Ahmed III along the Golden Horn and Okmeydanı.

Levni's 137 miniatures for the Surname represent a departure from classical Ottoman manuscript illustration. Moving away from the strictly flat, two-dimensional conventions of traditional Islamic painting, Levni introduced subtle shading to give figures volume and three-dimensional presence. He broke away from rigid compositional symmetry, arranging crowds in dynamic, overlapping groups that captured the movement and festive atmosphere of the celebrations. Dancers (koceks), acrobats, musicians, guild members presenting their crafts, and floating fireworks on the Golden Horn are depicted with a lively, observational realism.

Furthermore, Levni individualized the facial expressions of the participants and captured the contemporary garments, textile patterns, and vibrant color palettes of early 18th-century Istanbul. The Surname-i Vehbi is not only one of the final great masterpieces of Ottoman book art but also serves as an invaluable visual record documenting the social history, court ceremonies, public entertainments, and guild organizations of the period.