A Different Glimpse at the Turkish Miniature Painting

This scholarly book is about the history and contemporary development of decorative arts, particularly miniature painting, written by Dr. F. İnci Ayan Birol, a scholar of Islamic traditional decorative arts. It contains comprehensive information on this traditional art of the Muslim world as it evolved in different places and periods. The book also records the case of an innovative project implemented under the author’s coordination which applied the principles of traditional miniature painting in innovative combinations with other arts, showing an example of synthesis between traditional and modern techniques.

Miniature painting developed as a decorative art and acquired distinctive styles, patterns, motifs and compositions in various regions of the Muslim world including Iran, Central Asia, India, East Asia and Africa. Miniatures are important not only as ornaments but also as documents depicting historical events, literary pieces, ceremonies, social events, landscapes, natural phenomena, and other subjects. Dr. Birol's work is also important as a reference work on this art.