Islamic illumination - known as Tezhip in Turkish, is a decorative art using gold pigments to beautify the Qur’an & manuscripts. The fine detail takes dedication & patience
Today, the art of Tezhip continues
Here are 21 artists sharing artistic techniques in tezhip
A thread…
1/ Tezhip was first practiced by the Uyghur’s in the 9th century. The Seljuks brought it to Anatolia, & the art culminated during the Ottomans. Mameluke artists in the 15th century developed it & advances were seen in Central Asia
A process video by Turkish artist Berre Filoglu
2/ Artist Hatice Karaman is based in Istanbul, Turkey. Traditionally trained in the art of Tezhip, she is committed to continuing & preserving this artform for future generations.
See Hatice at work…
3/ Turkish Artist Zuleyha Karaca specialises in the art of tezhip & Islamic illumination. Here, Zuleyha presents a great example of shading in gold & finely outlining details…
4/ Iranian artist Mina Kazemiyan is skilled in the delicate and detailed art of tezhip. Here, she demonstrates the delicate fine black outlines to provide definition to the work…
5/ Turkish artist Handan Gülserin is an expert in the art of tezhip. Here she shares her detailed skill of effortlessly painting details with gold pigments.
Bazen karanlıktır, göz gözü görmez,
Bazen karanlık değildir, öz özü görmez...
6/ Beautiful details from Iranian traditional tezhip
شب تاریک و سنگستان و مو مست
قدح از دست مو افتاد و نشکست
نگهدارنده اش نیکو نگهداشت
و گرنه صد قدح نفتاده بشکست #باباطاهر
7/ Iranian artist Mina Kazemiyan is skilled in the delicate and detailed art of tezhip. Here, she demonstrates creating shadows using gold and metallic pigments to provide definition to the work.
8/ Turkish artist İlknur GÜÇLÜ specialises in Tezhip. Here is a work in progress showing details of the use of colour to create wonderful definition…
9/ Artist @EsraAlhamalArt is a specialist in Islamic illumination & biomorphic pattern. Here she shows us how to make real gold pigment shine by forming an indentation. This little trick makes the dots look like they are little jewels…
10/ Turkish artist K.Bayraktar is trained in the traditional art of Tezhip, here she shares delicate details of precision, painting bold colour to fill between the luminous gold…
11/ Turkish artist Gul Cerik is a specialist in Tezhip. Here we see precision details to add definition to the gold pigments and illumination…
12/Iranian artist Maryam Ghafari is inspired by poetry
«أحببتك وكأنك آخر أحبتي على وجه الأرض،
و عذبتني كأنني آخر أعدائك على وجه الأرض...»
تو را دوست داشتم،
چنانکه گویی تو آخرین عزیزانِ من بر روی زمینی؛
و تو رنجم دادی،
چنان که گویی من آخرین دشمنانِ تو
بر روی زمینم
13/ Turkish artist Nurhan Barutcular is trained in the traditional art of Tezhip. Here is detailed work in progress…
14/ Iranian artist Maryama is not only trained in the art of tezhip, but also a psychologist. She uses this traditional artform as a tool for talking about issues connected to psychology, including trauma. Here she shares details of her exquisite work in progress…
15/ Turkish artist Perdah Sanat Atölyesi is an expert in the art of Tezhip. Here, we are able to see the fine lines and precision in pattern in this work in progress…
16/ Iranian artist T. Mousavi is an expert in the art of tezhip, Here is a work in progress, highlighting the precise work and patience required to outline details…
17/ Turkish artist Gul Cerik specialises in the art of tezhip. Here is a look at the technique of finely applying white as a highlighter to add further luminosity and depth the the illumination…
18/ Artist @NagihanSeymour is a specialist in tezhip. Here she shares her favourite step in the artistic process, burnishing the gold pigment…
19/ Iranian artist Nasim Khadevi shares tezhip work in progress, painting illumination for Islamic verses…
رنگگذاری بندهای اسلیمی
20/ Turkish artist Fatma Özçay is a master of the art of tezhip. Here is an exquisite example of a work in progress, meticulously painting fine details…
21/ Turkish artist Ayse Raziye Ozalp creates miniatures in the art of tezhip. Ayse is particularly interested in the natural world, here is a work in process video of a spider…
Hayvanları çok sevdiğim doğrudur.Örümcekleri bile😉🕷🕸
South Asia has the largest population of Muslims in the world, with one-third of all Muslims being from South Asia.
Islam is the dominant religion in half of the South Asian countries.
Here are 20 striking mosques in South Asia… #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Markazi Jamia Masjid, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
One of the oldest mosques in Rawalpindi and an architectural beauty. Built almost 100 years ago, the mosque still stands tall among historical sites of the city due to its blue & turquoise mosaics and glass artwork
2/ Dewatagaha Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Built in 1820, it is the resting place of His Holiness Seyedina As-Sheikh Seyed Usman Siddique Ibn Abdurrahman. Accredited with lovely architecture, it is one of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka.
The art of carving is one of the oldest traditions in history.
Over the ages, Islamic Arabic calligraphy has been carved into architecture & objects. Today, artists are continuing this craft for future generations.
Here are 20 examples of carved Arabic calligraphy…
A thread…
1/ Detail of the Oljeitu mihrab in Masjed-e Jame, Isfahan, Iran, where tuluth script calligraphy in stucco becomes pure art. The mosque is the result of continual construction, reconstruction, additions and renovations on the site from around 771 to the end of the 20th century.
2/ Stucco tile from Nasrid Spain, 14th – 15th century
‘wa-la ghaliba illa allah’ on a split-palmette scroll background in @KhaliliOnline
For some, the door reflects the luck & happiness the inhabitants of the building may have. For others, there exist doors of notable beauty which inspire generations.
Here are 24 doors influenced by Islamic art in North Africa…
Muslim civilisations played a major role in inspiring the growth of the glass industry from the 8th century onwards. Mosques & cities were transformed into beautiful spaces richly decorated with glass.
Here are 24 Islamic buildings & mosques, with stained glass…
A thread…
1/ Stained glass window at The Şemsi Pasha Mosque, Turkey
Designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan in 1581 for Grand Vizier Şemsi Pasha. It is one of the most attractive mosques in the city & a celebrated example of the chief architect's skills.
2/ Stained glass windows at The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Iran
Constructed between 1876 & 1888, during the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1785 to 1925. It has been dubbed the “Pink Mosque” due to the plethora of pink-colored tiles blanketing the ceiling
Photography can tell a story, it can capture a moment in time, it can document, and it can be art.
Here are 15 artists redefining Islamic art and Muslim culture through photography & digital collage…
A thread…
1/ Sudanese-American Muslim creator & filmmaker @aarafadam produces narrative art, with a focus on collaborating with Black artists & storytellers
Her aim is to uplift continental & diasporic Black women, particularly from underrepresented communities such as Black Muslim women
2/ Born in Medina, Saudi Arabia, @MoathAlofi is an artist, photographer, researcher and explorer whose innate curiosity defines his evocative, self-expressive work.
His Saudi heritage influences his creativity, and he believes in the power of storytelling through photography
Gems have a special place in Islam. Some precious stones such as rubies, pearls & coral are mentioned in the Quran. Tradition has it that prominent figures in Islamic history wore different stones to help them
Here are 20 examples of precious gems & stones as amulets
A thread…
1/ Agate Amulet
mid-18th century
In Iran agate is regarded as a stone with healing properties. This oval-shaped pendant features a selection from the Asma’ al-Husna (the 99 beautiful names of God) at the center, surrounded by the sura Ya Sin (sura 36) from the Qur’an @metmuseum
2/ Oval bezel amulet from a bracelet,
Mughal Period (17th-18th century)
Inscribed with the Throne verse (Ayat Al Kursi) for protection.
Carnelian stone which is believed to be good luck, incised; jade setting, inlaid with gold & inset with emeralds & rubies @AshmoleanMuseum