Tazhib (Illuminated manuscript)

A so-called illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is enriched with decorations such as for example the initials, borders, and miniature illustrations. In the most rigid definition, the term refers to manuscripts decorated with gold or silver but in common usage the term refers to any decorated or illustrated manuscript. Islamic manuscripts can be referred to as illuminated, illustrated or painted works.
Teachers and craftsmen in this field use this art in various books to make the golden pages of literal and religious texts, adorned with arabesque or floral motifs, more beautiful.

The origin of the use of this art in Iranian books dates back to the Sassanid era. After Islam, the illuminated manuscripts were taken by the Islamic / Arab governments and were then referred to as "Islamic art".
The illuminated manuscript reached its peak when the people of the Seljuk Empire and the Timurid era began to work as professional craftsmen in this field; it became a real art and it is at that time that the most beautiful manuscripts date back.
The kings called to court painters, bookbinders and artisans from various regions of Iran, who began to work in the libraries of the capital; thus, priceless masterpieces were created that adorn Iranian museums around the world today. Although this art was decelerated when the country's culture was conquered, the illuminated manuscripts are still in full swing with the invaluable efforts of the eminent and committed Iranian craftsmen.
Like other categories of art, illuminated manuscripts also consist of different schools and eras, including Seljuk, Bukhara, Timurid, Safavid and Qajara. The differences between the various manuscripts mainly concern the colors and the way the letters or motifs are painted, and these facets manifest the feelings and spirits of those times. This art in the IV-V century was considered simple, but starting from the VI century it has progressively assumed majesty and value.
When we look at the illuminated manuscripts of recent times, we can find the salient effects of the Iranian illuminated manuscripts in other countries as well such as India, Turkey and other Arab nations. The artists who emigrated from Iran to India during the first Safavid Empire were the founders of the Iranian and Indian schools of painting which created various masterpieces of immense value.
This art, thanks to the Iranian emigrants of the time, still persists in Turkey today.

Regarding the history of the miniaturization of the Koran, this goes back to the beginning of the process of determining the decorative structure, which embellished the information on the Sura, the verses, the thirty segments of the Koran and the signs for the verses of prostration. It was the period in which Muslims became more interested in the Koran little by little and fell in love with its beauty.

Artistic productions of the Timurid era are one of the most important and common types of illuminated works. The Timurid dynasty encouraged and allowed the development of the art of writing books; Sultan Baysongor Bahador Khan was the largest and most important member of the dynasty. This king was an artist who loved to learn the techniques of inscription, calligraphy, illuminated works and painting; he brought together many artists from all over the Timurid Empire and founded a library in Harat to create a production center for writers, cartographers, calligraphers, illuminators, bookbinders, painters and so on. The religious books of this city are among the most precious and beautiful books that have been produced so far.

The Qurans that were produced at this time belonged to Shahrokh and Baysonqor, and were among the finest illuminated manuscripts. Gold and lapis lazuli were the main materials that were used to decorate and illuminate the books and the Koran itself.