Thread by @BaytAlFann

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/ 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…

3/ 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…

4/ 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...

5/ 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

6/ 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.

7/ Turkish artist İlknur GÜÇLÜ specialises in Tezhip. Here is a work in progress showing details of the use of colour to create wonderful definition…

8/ 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…

9/ 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…

10/ Turkish artist Gul Cerik is a specialist in Tezhip. Here we see precision details to add definition to the gold pigments and illumination…

11/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

#غاده_السما

12/ 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…

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 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😉🕷

21/ 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…

Artists specialising in Tezhip & Islamic illumination will be presenting at the Islamic Art & Culture Digital Festival on 28 & 29 November

Hear them share their thoughts on ‘The Future of Traditional Arts’ & their creative practice

Discover more & book: baytalfann.com