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 20 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 Zeynep Aydogdu
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 Mashid Sowlatian is skilled in the delicate and detailed art of tezhip. Here, she demonstrates the delicate building techniques 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 Alif Se Art demonstrates the technique of burnishing 24c Gold, a favourite and most rewarding part of illumination painting... Manuscript Al Anwaar .
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… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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/ Turkish artist Dilekshar demonstrates precision outlining as part of the tezhip process
17/ Artist Edafunda Ozkan shows the process of creating
Bahar 104. Hilye i Şerif using illumination techniques
18/ Artist @NagihanSeymour is a specialist in tezhip. Here she shares her favourite step in the artistic process, burnishing the gold pigment…
19/ 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😉🕷
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…
If you like this thread, join us for Miniatures & Manuscripts - an online event exploring the rich tradition of Islamic manuscript painting and illumination…
Kufic script is one of the oldest forms of Arabic calligraphy, developed between the 7th & 10th centuries. Derived from the Iraqi town of Al-Kufa, it was a preferred script for writing the Qur’an & is still used by artists today.
A thread on the art & heritage of Kufic script…
1/ Kufic script is one of the most recognisable & exquisite scripts of Arabic calligraphy. It is so revered & foundational that medieval Egyptian encyclopedist Al-Qalqashandi declared “The Arabic script is the one which is now known as Kufic. From it evolved all the present pens”
2/ Kufic script was developed around the 7th century CE, where it was extensively used to copy the Qur’an by the orders of the Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan
Folio from the Tashkent Qur'an
late 8th–early 9th century
From one of the oldest Qur'an manuscripts in existence @LACMA
Contemporary Islamic architecture is redefining perceptions of tradition in a modern global world.
Here are 15 contemporary examples of Mosques from around the world, that highlight innovative uses of forms & materials through context and locality
A thread…
1/ Cologne Central Mosque, Germany
The largest & grandest mosque in Germany. Cologne mosque is now regarded as a symbol of integration & symbol of the birth of German mosque architecture. The futuristic mosque is mainly characterized by the large dome.
1.1/ Cologne Central Mosque, Germany
Completed in 2017, it can accommodate 1200 worshippers. It is the largest mosque in Germany. The main prayer hall is as striking harmonious blend of modern and tradition
Mariam Astrulabi was a pioneering female Muslim scientist & astronomer, born in Syria during the 10th century. She is known for developing Astrolabes, an ancient astronomical computer for solving problems related to time & position of the sun & stars
A thread on Mariam Astrulabi
1/ Mariam al Astrulabi's remarkable contribution to the art of astrolabes has largely been ignored by the world. What she achieved in the 10th century consequently helped several generations of scientists to explore the concept of time and space.
2/ Astrolabes were beneficial in determining the position of the sun, moon, stars & the planets. They were used in astronomy, astrology & horoscopes. Muslims would specifically use it to find the Qibla, determine prayer times & the initial days of Ramadan and Eid
Prophet Solomon was a wise and wealthy king, whose armies consisted of troops made of men, Jinn & birds. In the Qur’anic story, Prophet Solomon seeks the hoopoe bird as a messenger to bring him information about a distant land ruled by the Queen of Sheba.
A thread…
1/ The hoopoe bird, known as "hudhud" in Arabic, is mentioned in the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Naml (Chapter 27), specifically in verses 20-22. It is a significant part of the story of Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) and the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis).
2/ The hoopoe bird fulfills its mission and returns to Prophet Solomon with valuable information about the Queen of Sheba and her people. It informs Solomon of her magnificent kingdom, her worship of the sun, and the presence of a mighty and powerful nation.
Did you know 24 craters of the Moon have names of Arabic and Islamic origin?
These craters are named after famous scholars of Islamic civilisation, and were all approved by the International Astronomical Union.
A thread on Arabic & Islamic crater-names on the Moon…
1/ Abulfeda Crater
Named after Isma’il Ibn Abu al-Fida, a renowned Syrian geographer (1273-1331 CE). This lunar impact crater is located in the central highlands of the Moon.
2/ Abulwafa Crater
Named after Abu al-Wafa al-Buzajani, a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer (940-998 CE). Abul Wafa is an impact crater located near the lunar equator on the far side of the Moon.
The beauty & complexity of Islamic geometric patterns is deeply connected to spirituality & symbolism. Believed to reflect the underlying order & harmony of the universe, Islamic geometry is a manifestation of the Divine.
A thread on Islamic geometry & Iranian architecture…
1/ The spiritual aspect of Islamic geometry is closely linked to the concept of tawhid, the belief in the oneness of God.
The ceiling dome of Shah Mosque of Isfahan
معماری و تزئینات کاشی کاری ایرانی
تزئینات زیر گنبد مسجد شاه اصفهان
2/ Islamic geometric patterns are characterized by intricate and symmetrical designs that are often based on repeating geometric shapes such as circles, squares, and stars.
Shah Mosque of Isfahan
معماری و تزئینات ایرانی
مسجد جامع شاه عباسی اصفهان