Islamic Art (continued)

Part IV: Secular Paintings - Paintings that are not religious.

A. Miniature Paintings

"Miniatures" or small paintings were often used to illustrate books. They were more common in Turkey and Persia (now Iran and parts of Iraq), and later in Muslim India (the Mughal Empire). The art of these places was also influenced by the Mongol conquests of the 1200's. After that time, Persian and Turkish paintings were influenced by Chinese art styles.

 

 

The painting on the left shows a Turkish archer practicing his skills. From this painting, we can see how archery (shooting of a bow and arrow) was practiced and what clothing was worn in the Ottoman army.

 

 

In general, miniature paintings were to accompany (go with) heroic stories, poems, and histories of the royal families. At first, the illustrated books were the property of the wealthy sultans (or kings), and sometimes of rich business owners.

 

In the late Middle Ages, painters were paid well in the court and the best artists went to work for the rulers in the royal workshops. These works of art were not for common people. They were the property of the wealthy court.

 

But as the middle class grew in the cities, more people could afford to buy books. Miniature paintings also illustrated these books. The paintings show a variety of topics: animal stories and fables, military tactics, poetry, stories about heroes and common people, festivals, etc. These paintings were not great works of art, however, because they were done quickly for a wide audience.

 

B. Portraits - Paintings of People

Many rulers wanted to have portraits of themselves to show how they were important in history. These royal portraits (paintings of kings) show us about the court, costume, and the lavish (very rich) way of life of the rulers.

Portrait of the Ottoman-Turkish Emperor "Suleyman the Magnificent as a young man" Semailname, Nakkas Osman 1579. Hazine. 1563, folio 47b Topkapi collection.

 

C. Why are miniature paintings and portraits so important to us?

Both religious and secular paintings show us a great deal about the way of life of the Medieval Muslims. As you look at the paintings here, try to note what the paintings can show us about history and medieval Muslim society.

Dimna's Trial Kalila waDimna, 13th century; Paris, Bibiliotheque National

Persian painting to illustrate "Shah-namah" (or "The Epic of Kings") by Ferdawsi. Painted by the Shiraz School, 14th Century. Topkapi collection.

Persian painting to illustrate "Khamsa", a love story in poetry by Nezami, 15th century. Topkapi collection.

The Turkish Miniatures of Matrakci Nasuh: "Plan of Baghdad" 16th century. This painting shows the city plan of Baghdad with its great walls, buildings and streets. Topkapi collection.

Learn More About Islamic and Secular Art of the Middle Ages An outline of Islamic Art shown at the Topkapi Museum, Turkey. See a large collection of Islamic and miniature art throughout the Islamic Empires. Early Islamic Illustrations Secular illustrations and Persian Painting Mongols and Painting under the Jala'ir Painting in Persia under the Timurids China, chinoiserie and Painting in Turkestan under the Timurids The Uzbeks and the Safavids Book Illustration under the Ottomans Turkish -Islamic Art, The Miniatures of the Zubdat Al- Tawarikh Turkish -Islamic Art, Matrakci Nasuh Persian Miniatures: See "Persian Art of Visual Poetry (Miniature)" See an outstanding introduction to Persian Miniatures: Celebrating the Beauty of Persian painting! by Greg Roberts "A Brief History of Persian Miniature" is a good site to learn about the development of miniature paintings through Persian history. See examples of Persian miniatures showing: (Baghdad school, 12th century) Scientific discussion, Horsemen in parade, Book cover picture (1334), Islamic Funerary Practices (13th century), Funeral illustration for Ferdowsi's epic of heroes, "Shahnamah" (1326) Spinning yarn (18th century). Turkish Miniatures: For a good introduction to Turkish Miniatures, see MFA-Turkish Miniatures in the 16th Century. For other examples of earlier Turkish miniatures, see: Turkish bath (illuminated manuscript), and Turkish Astronomers (16th? century) Indian/Mughal Miniatures: A Brief Description of Mughal Miniatures Some additional miniatures are Raft across the river (Book of Babur, 16th century), and Weighing (Book of Babur, 16th century).

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