Islamic miniatures are small paintings on paper, usually manuscript and book illustrations. The earliest examples date from around 1000 AD.
Today, artists continue the tradition of Islamic miniature painting. Here are 24 contemporary artists redefining the art form…
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1/ Artist S.M Khayyam was born in Quetta, but currently lives & works in Lahore, Pakistan. He has a fascination with Mughal Miniatures, reinterpreting this painting tradition in contemporary new ways. The faded faces in his work reflect an era gone by…
2/ London based artist Mobeen Akhtar, specialises in the traditional arts and Islamic miniature painting. Her work takes you through a journey of colour and meticulous detail heavily inspired by traditional Islamic art…
3/ Artist Halil Altındere creates collaborative works with a political, social and culture message.
Tesla to the Moon, 2019, Acrylic on canvas (miniature painting technique), created by Halil Altındere in collaboration with miniature artists Filiz Adıgüzel Toprak & Fatma Akdaş…
4/ Hana Shahnavaz is a British-Iranian painter based in London. Inspired by Persian miniature painting, her work is a celebration of the natural world. Her colourful palette of vibrant pigments are handmade from semi-precious stones & plants giving her work a jewel-like quality…
5/ Iranian artist, Anahita Alavi specialises in Persian Miniature & Islamic Illumination. She trained in the art of traditional painting under the supervision of a number of great masters in Iran. She is passionate about preserving the artform & teaches…
6/ Artist @IbrahimSincere has always loved the kofia – an embroidered & threaded, brimless cap worn all over East Africa. This illustration he created is reminiscent of miniature paintings, it depicts not only the Kofia but cultural hats worn by Muslim cultures around the world…
7/ Artist Jahongir Ashurov was born in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. After graduating from the Benkov Art School in Tashkent, he continued his miniature studies under the supervision of masters. His works have been exhibited across Central Asia & in art galleries in America & Europe…
8/ U.K based artist @fzhassan is an expert miniature painter trained in traditional Indo-Islamic, Mughal & Persian painting. Taking a modern twist on this tradition, she teaches & exhibits her work in galleries & museums…
9/ Yemeni Artist Amr Alngmah is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
His work is inspired by his love for video games, which he relates to his specialist areas in the arts, especially Islamic arts, its heritage, history, and Islamic miniature painting.
Spiderman And Venom, 2022
10/ British artist Jethro Buck is interested in Indian miniature painting. He applies traditional techniques to explore & celebrate the natural world, using hand ground natural pigments. Through this work he hopes to raise awareness of climate change…
11/ Japanese artist Yukiko Futamura has a passion for Islamic art & Miniature painting. She studied calligraphy & illumination under artist Miwako Kawaminami for nearly 2 decades…
Persian inspired painting of Dragon & Simurgh
ドラゴンとシームルグ
12/ Naseeba Khader is a Canadian Mississauga based artist, whose passion is Islamic art & architecture. She is on a quest to absorb & learn as much as possible, & to translate that knowledge through miniatures with her pen or paintbrush…
13/ Indonesian Alan Farrij is inspired by Mughal & Persian Miniature paintings. He creates his own versions of historic Islamic manuscript miniature masterpieces using watercolour paints…
14/ Saudi artist Asma Bahmim is inspired by Islamic art and manuscripts. She uses mixed media & photography collage in her modern miniatures. Her miniature work titled The Hijazi Knight and his Levantine Wife, is a story from the Hijazi heritage from Mecca…
15/ U.K based artist @fzhassan is an expert miniature painter trained in traditional Indo-Islamic, Mughal & Persian painting. Taking a modern twist on this tradition, she teaches & exhibits her work in galleries & museums…
16/ Artist @_Muratpalta illustrates iconic movies in Ottoman miniature style.
As you probably guessed, this work depicts the final moments of Scarface (1983), where Tony Montana takes revenge on a team of assassins who have infiltrated his lavish compound
17/ Indonesian artist Mamet Fadhlalallah ‘s work is inspired by Islamic manuscript miniature painting. He creates his own interpretation of contemporary scenes in a miniature painting style…
Snack on a quiet afternoon
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Panganan ringan di sore yang tenang
18/ British artist @elisadeaneart impeccable use of colours and detailed brushwork are inspired by Islamic geometry, & the miniature painting traditions of India & Iran…
19/ Farzaneh Ebadifard is a Persian miniature painter based in Germany. Through her work she hopes to revive and continue the glory of Persian art, bringing a bit of the past to the present through her paintings…
20/ Pakistani artist Veeda Ahmed is a specialist in Persian, Mughal & Pahari miniature painting. She is critically acclaimed & has exhibited all over the world. Veeda trained at The University of Punjab, Lahore, & the Ruskin School of Drawing & Fine Art, Oxford University…
21/ Jordanian miniature artist Maram Ata believes the key to great art is simplicity & well-structured proportions that communicate a vision. Her experiences growing up in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, & living in Amman, Jordan have influenced her creativity…
22/ Iranian illustrator Mariam Tafsi work is inspired by her Persian heritage especially miniature painting. After finding a signature style switching from graphite & paper to iPad & Procreate, she began to get noticed. Her work is a contemporary take on the miniature tradition…
23/ Fascinated with Islamic architecture, Turkish artist @afaruk_yilmaz is known for his iconic drawings, contrasting heritage from the past with modern buildings in his colourful illustrations. He reinterprets the traditional miniature in his own unique contemporary way…
24/ Turkish Artist Jahongir Ashurov is an expert in miniature painting. His work is inspired by traditional Ottoman miniatures found in manuscripts. He teamed up with Animation creator Husniddin Hakimov to bring his miniature paintings to life…
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Few places can contend with the historic mosques & Islamic architecture of Iran. The combination of geometric designs, symmetry, & vibrant colours intrigue the eyes.
Here are details from 24 of the most beautiful mosques & Islamic buildings in Iran #JummaMubarak
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1/ Shāh Chérāgh, Shiraz, Iran
Built in 1517, Shāh-é-Chérāgh is Persian for "King of the Light". This funerary monument & mosque houses the tomb of brothers Ahmad & Muhammad, sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim. The two took refuge in the city during the Abbasid persecution of Shia Muslims.
2/ The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran
Also known as the Pink Mosque (مسجد صورتی Masjed-e Surati), it was built during Qajar dynasty rule of Iran in 1876 by the order of Mirza Hassan Ali Nasir-ol-Mulk, one of the lords & aristocrats of Shiraz.
Algeria known as the “Balcony of the Mediterranean” is at the crossroads of three worlds Mediterranean, Arab & African.
This year the Mediterranean Games are hosted by Algeria; to celebrate we’re exploring its beautiful Islamic architecture & rich heritage #Oran2022
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1/ Dar Mustapha Pacha, Algeria
A Moorish palace, located in the Casbah of Algiers. It houses the National Museum of Miniatures, Illumination and Calligraphy.
It was built by the future Dey Mustapha Pacha between 1798 and 1799.
2/ Sidi Ahcen, Sétif, Algeria
Built by Sidi Ahcen in 1203, beautiful details of the architecture.
Dates back to 1617 & features numerous multicolored windows, a minaret with a lookout spot & a courtyard with several tombs. Although the original Ottoman mosque was heavily damaged during the attacks of the 1990s it has been restored
2/ The Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking, England
This is the first purpose built mosque that was built in the UK.
It was built in 1889 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist of Jewish descent from Hungary. Money was donated by Begum Shah Jahan, the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
From the bright buildings in Istanbul, to the ‘blue pearl’ of Morocco, here are 20 of the most colourful neighbourhoods and cityscapes across the Muslim world…
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1/ Colourful Beirut, Lebanon
The architecture of Lebanon embodies the historical, cultural and religious influences that have shaped Lebanon's built environment. It has been influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans and French.
2/ Colourful Fez, Morocco
Often referred to as the country’s cultural capital. It’s primarily known for its Fes El Bali walled medina, with medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks & old-world atmosphere. The medina is home to religious schools from the 14th-century.
Today is World Refugee Day, an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations, to celebrate & honour refugees from around the world.
1/ Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr creates depictions of the war in Syria - composed with stones. Each piece tells a story, & the stone scenes seem to come alive. The imagery is all too familiar. A family on the move, their meagre belongings carried on their heads #WorldRefugeeDay
2/ Laila Ajjawi is a graffiti artist born & raised in a Palestinian refugee camp outside of Irbid, Jordan. Her work focuses on women living in the Middle East, particularly refugees. She has created murals with Women on Walls a public art project based in Egypt #WorldRefugeeDay
Arabic calligraphy is the most highly regarded element of Islamic art, as it is the language of Qur’an. The script has the potential for creating ornamental forms.
1/ Diaa Allam lives & works in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. He is an Arabic calligrapher with a specialisation in 3-D calligraphy, & a live art performer. He sources the darkest & brightest pigments from locations around the world to create his painted calligraphy illusions…
2/ Based in London @ArtofthePen is an internationally renowned classically trained calligrapher. Her work pushes the boundaries of what is expected from this traditional art form. In 2005, Soraya was awarded the sought-after icazetname from Istanbul…